Background

The museum has been closed for 18 months during the pandemic and operates with a team of volunteers. There was a significant number of crucial steps to be taken to get the operation prepared for re-opening.

Intervention

Working with a subject matter specialist an action plan was drawn up to ensure that the facility was Covid-19 compliant, safe for visitors and volunteers and that the operation was in growth mode for the staycation boom. An action plan was compiled including introduction of credit card payments, online booking system, new website, new products and refreshed displays.

Outcome

The Allerford Museum traded very successfully throughout the summer months and celebrated its bicentenary in October. The advice from the VESP project proved invaluable to re-opening in a seamless trouble-free manner with streamlined systems set for future growth.

Andrew Stinson comments, “The project helped us focus on what was important and really made a tremendous difference to how we operate going forward. With leaner working and more relevance to our target audience.”

Interested in learning more? 

Are you a visitor based business located in Somerset? Do you need help in attraction new customers or support with business growth and strategy planning? The Visitor Economy Support Programme (VESP) has helped hundreds of businesses across Somerset do just this.

Sign up to the FREE Visitor Economy Support Programme today and one of our digital experts will be in touch to help!
https://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk/business-hub/vesp

The support is available to all Somerset business working within the visitor economy including hospitality, tourism, retail, attractions, activity providers, museums, entertainment, and arts.

If you have any questions about the VESP programme, please contact Max Lawrence on honsec@visit-exmoor.co.uk