Boost for local tourism business after Hadrian's Wall competition win

Tyne To Summit has been announced as the winner of the Hadrian's Wall Design Sprint 2024, receiving a £10,000 prize to implement their innovative project aimed at boosting tourism along the iconic Hadrian's Wall.

The design sprint, which culminated after months of development and two intensive days of pitches, challenged participants to come up with creative ways to engage a new generation of visitors with the historic site.

Hadrian’s Wall Design Sprint which was delivered by the Rural Design Centre and the Northumberland Small Business Service, gave centre stage to one of Northumberland’s most iconic tourist attractions.

The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) is delivered by Northumberland County Council. The project is part funded by the North East Combined Authority and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, with the North East Combined Authority as the lead authority.

Hadrian’s Wall Design sprint was held over two days in September and invited businesses across Northumberland to build and create a project to work up an existing idea for a new tourism project or service, or generate new ideas. Successful businesses who were invited to the final 2-day sprint could develop anything from entertainment, leisure, food, to visitor experiences.

There was a £10,000 fully funded prize for the winner, the opportunity is to develop an idea for a brand new, sustainable product or service focussed on boosting awareness of, engagement with, and visits to the 72 mile long Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage site.

The winners - Tyne To Summit, owners, Steph Robinson and Scott Gillan, stood out with their unique approach to inspiring young people to explore Hadrian's Wall through interactive walking experiences, leveraging technology and community engagement.

Their project aims to bridge the gap between modern-day interests and the historical significance of the wall, encouraging younger audiences to get outdoors, walk more, and experience the stunning landscapes and history that Northumberland has to offer.

Scott and Steph said: “We are absolutely delighted and privileged to win the prestigious Hadrian's Wall Design Sprint, the whole experience was deeply fulfilling and inspiring from start to finish.

At Tyne To Summit, we aim to be at the forefront of sculpting the 21st century of Hadrian's Wall, post the Sycamore Gap sadness. Our intention is to change lives in the community through outdoor activities, inspiring local people to become more involved in the great outdoors, forging friendships and connections to nature. In a fast world, it's important to slow down.”

Their approach aims to make the wall relevant to younger generations by offering free guided walks at locations across Northumberland by using their large social media presence to reach and engage a new and younger audience. This fresh perspective is designed to encourage more young people to explore and appreciate the cultural heritage site, while also fostering a deeper connection to nature and outdoor activities.

The project is expected to have a significant impact on local tourism, attracting new visitors to Hadrian's Wall and the surrounding areas. By focusing on sustainable tourism, the initiative will not only bring a younger audience to the wall but also promote outdoor activity, encouraging a healthy lifestyle while supporting local businesses along the walking routes.

“We’re thrilled to have won the Hadrian's Wall Design Sprint 2024,” said Steph Robinson, co-founder of Tyne To Summit. “Our goal is to create a new generation of history enthusiasts who are as passionate about preserving and exploring this site as we are. By combining outdoor adventure with modern technology, we hope to inspire more young people to experience the magic of Hadrian's Wall firsthand.”

NSBS also offers assistance to micro-small sized businesses across Northumberland. The experienced team and its range of experts work directly with businesses and individuals to help them start, grow, diversify, and sustain their ventures through workshops, 1-2-1 support and networking events across the county.

Eligible businesses can still access a £2 million Rural Capital Grant Investment Fund, which supports rural businesses with clear growth plans by providing capital investment to expand production capacity or diversify into new markets or products.

Programme Manager Lucy Evermore said: "The Design Sprint has been a brilliant, collaborative effort and it was fantastic to see the pitches the businesses involved created. A huge congratulations to Tyne to Summit, I am really looking forward to seeing what they do next”.

This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

If you have any questions about the event or the Northumberland Small Business Service, please visit Northumberland Small Business Service or contact the team at business@advancenorthumberland.co.uk.

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