As the big weekend approaches, Councillor Paul Carpenter explains how the visit by the famous Mallard could bring new business into Grantham.
Coun Carpenter, deputy leader of South Kesteven District Council, writes:
“The special Mallard celebration in Grantham is only three weeks away now and I’m sure it will be a fantastic free event for local people.
It’s 75 years since the iconic locomotive set the world steam record just south of the town at Stoke Bank and the fact that it is coming back to the town on a very rare trip away from its home at the Railway Museum is already attracting massive interest.
National railway magazines have covered the story extensively and judging by the volume of traffic on Facebook and Twitter we’re expecting thousands of visitors to descend on the town.
And that is the name of the game for us as we want our businesses to benefit froma great event and that’s why, although the main attraction will be based close to the railway station, there are other events in town including historic poster exhibitions, and talks and displays on St Peter’s Hill, including classic motorcycles.
We’re keen to ensure that local traders get the benefit of so many people visiting us and our staff are busy encouraging them to get into the swing of things by introducing special offers and modifying their opening hours.
We’re also using the visit as a hook to entice potential investors to come and see what Grantham has to offer and we are arranging tours of the sites we have available to businesses who want to locate here.
It’s all very exciting and the event is a great example of how partnership working can make things happen that are beyond the reach of one organisation working alone.
So on behalf of South Kesteven District Council I’d like to thank everyone who has played a part in making this event possible including Carillion, Grantham Growth, Lincolnshire County Council, DCR, Pinza and county magazine publishers Mortons.
I hope you can go along and have a great free day on either September 7 or 8 and support our local businesses.”