Photo: Alan Mak MP with Emsworth Business Association Chairman Giles Babb
Havant MP Alan Mak has spoken in Parliament praising the “key role” played by the Emsworth Business Association in promoting the local tourism industry. Mr Mak was joined in his praise by Tourism Minister David Evennett who commended the EBA for its support of Great British food in particular.
Mak hailed the EBA’s efforts to raise Emsworth’s profile and increase tourist numbers through a strategic approach that establishes the town as a real destination on the South Coast.
The Havant MP is a strong backer of the Emsworth Business Association, and has lent his support to events such as Emsworth’s Food Fortnight.
In partnership with other local organisations, the EBA has marked itself out in recent years by embracing every opportunity to advertise the town and harnessing the considerable community spirit of like-minded residents.
This resulted in Emsworth becoming the UK’s first ‘red-nosed town’ during Comic Relief 2015. The town also triumphed in the national 2014 ‘Bring Home the Harvest’ award. The initiative surrounding the harvest festival saw Emsworth producers and residents create a ‘food mountain’ to donate to local food banks. Both of these events brought coverage in national newspapers and on local television news programmes.
The town now boasts a monthly farmer’s market and the Emsworth Business Association continues to drive forward initiatives to help the mainly independent shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants on the high street to thrive via increased tourism – the next phase will involve highlighting the strong links the town has with the author PG Wodehouse.
Alan Mak MP said, “The Emsworth Business Association is an outstanding community group that does brilliant work promoting all that Emsworth offers from vibrant small businesses to areas of outstanding natural beauty. I was proud to cite the EBA in Parliament as an example for others around Britain to follow”
Giles Babb, Chairman of the EBA and owner of Emsworth’s Blue Bell Inn, said: “All of this has been achieved through the enthusiasm of local people who were willing to think ‘outside the box’ and come up with ideas that capture the imagination; the success they have had so far is testament to their outstanding efforts.”