In a Cotswolds Tourism sustainable tourism survey to businesses 93.3% of survey respondents said they’d like to use more local suppliers and 66.6% said they would like more help to find local suppliers.

Local Connections aims to create new, mutually beneficial business relationships between accommodation businesses and small, local businesses, makers and producers. For example, a local blacksmith could make bespoke metal work, a tour company could collect guests, a potter could provide beautiful handcrafted tableware, a bike hire company could provide a drop-off service and a local flower grower could provide fresh flowers to enhance the decor of an accommodation provider.

The benefits of creating more ‘local connections’ aren’t only for the businesses themselves, through this project we will be able to enhance the sense of place experienced by visitors and reduce transport mileage of goods, helping to protect the environment.

We are in the process of inviting approximately 60 small local businesses to get involved in the project. The businesses will be showcased on our trade website, as well as being invited to meet accommodation businesses in person at a speed dating and networking event in March.

A speed dating and networking event will be held on Wednesday 29 March, 10am-1pm at Old Gore Barn, near Cirencester, GL54 4BZ, where local businesses can meet accommodation providers in person, as the first steps to building new business relationships. If you are an accommodation provider in the Cotswolds and would like to attend please complete this registration form.

For more information please email cotswoldstourism@cotswold.gov.uk