Marketing Buxton
We own and manage the highly popular website www.visitbuxton.co.uk. All relevant businesses have a listing on this site free of charge with our members entitled to an enhanced listing.
We also publish the Buxton Town Guide which provides visitors a comprehensive overview of the town.
In 2014, with the financial support of HPBC, we produced the Buxton Marketing Toolkit. All marketing tools are available for use by any business or organisation in Buxton free of charge. We are also involved in the development and rollout of a new marketing toolkit for the town, produced by High Peak Borough Council.
Our other marketing initiatives include coordinating the town’s Heritage Open Days events, producing a group travel and coach driver information pack, collating visitor data, producing an annual Christmas events leaflet, promotional videos for the town and discount vouchers and coordinating town banners, group leaflet distribution, town advertising campaigns and familiarisation visits.
Consultation & Representation
Many of the key stakeholders in the town are members of Vision Buxton and we also have strong links with organisations such as Buxton Town Team, Transition Buxton and regional services. Vision Buxton is frequently involved in stakeholder groups for important projects (e.g. The Crescent, Hardwick Hall, Visitor Economy Strategy, Future High Streets Fund, Heritage Action Zone, Buxton Workplace Forum) where we represent our membership and feedback the views of our members. We also work hard to find out what people in Buxton think about the town at events such as the Spring Fair.
In 2017, Vision Buxton organised a feasibility study to find out if businesses in Buxton are interested in being part of a Business Improvement District (BID). BIDs experts talked to retailers and other businesses to see if they are prepared to make an investment based on a small part of their business rates to be spent on a range of improvements for Buxton.
Supporting Local Businesses & Organisations
Our members’ meetings are a great opportunity for businesses and organisations to learn about town projects and network with each other. In recent meetings, we have had presentations about specific projects and upcoming events such as the Buxton Crescent & Thermal Spa Hotel, Zink Employability, Buxton Civic Association Spaces and Places project, Buxton Markets and the future of the Devonshire Dome. Each members’ meeting is followed by an opportunity to network with other attendees. Non-members are welcome to attend a meeting before deciding whether to join us.
Members also receive a monthly newsletter with local and regional news, events and funding grants to help keep them informed of opportunities.
We also promote our business and community group members on our social media platforms to increase their online presence and marketing campaigns. Vision Buxton is often the first port of call for enquiries who want to be put in touch with local businesses.
Some of our Directors chair and attend our two committees – Membership and Marketing – which regularly report back to the Board. The Membership committee deals with all aspects of membership including marketing the organisation to non-members and organising events for members. The Marketing committee works to promote Buxton to visitors (see above).