Jimmy Doherty on tourism investment, customers & polar bears!
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. One of them is a familiar face on TV and in bookshops, and owner of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, Jimmy Doherty. Jimmy chatted to Chris Scargill about the changes he has seen over the years in customer behavior and trends, the importance of investment and funding for tourism based businesses, what tourism really means to him, and of course, how you go about embarking on a rescue mission that means building...
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 3 - Jimmy’s Farm, Byfords and Visit North Norfolk
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. Chris Scargill chaired a panel discussion on the day, and the audience heard commentary on the results of the survey and insight on other key issues impacting the sector. The panel included Park Director at , Stevie Shepperd, Director of Visit North Norfolk and Manager at , Andrew Hird, and the owner of Hidden Talents Iain Wilson, which operates an array of local businesses including in Norwich, Hotel in Holt, and...
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 2 - Insight on results data from the Larking Gowen team
Tourism Business Chat
During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders on the tourism and hospitality sector. In this episode, Tourism & Leisure Partner Chris Scargill discusses the results of the survey in detail, with further insight from specialists Emma Hayward and Sarah Pickett. View the full survey results brochure
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TOURISM SURVEY SPECIAL: Pt 1 AI, sustainability & what we can learn from New Zealand
Tourism Business Chat
The power of generative AI, and what we can learn from sustainable New Zealand tourism During the Tourism Business Survey Seminar, held at ROARR! on 22 May 2024, the audience heard from some inspirational local business leaders working in tourism and hospitality. Richard Turvel from SwissCamplings, a leading laundry supplier to the sector, reflects on what he calls ‘steady boring growth’ and how he believes in the power of his people, even though a huge part of his business is based in machines, and where he sees technology and AI taking us. Tori Burns is a business advisor who also...
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With Mary Sparrow, co-owner of Hippersons Boatyard
Tourism Business Chat
How does a headteacher at the top of her career come to live and work on the Broads? We find out, as Mary takes us on a journey that ‘cruises’ through a career working with troubled teens, into a battle with cancer, and out into the warmth and wonder of Beccles, a hugely popular part of the Norfolk Broads. After being told that the stress of her job was the likely cause of her cancer returning, Mary and her husband took this as a sign to pack up their London life and pursue their dream, starting a business in boat repairing. Mary was adamant, though, that she didn’t want to work in...
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BONUS – Tourism Business Survey insights with Adnams, Banham Zoo and Hippersons Boatyard
Tourism Business Chat
The Tourism Business Survey was relaunched for 2023, after a ‘COVID-19 break’ and the results were announced at a seminar on 25 April to an audience of sector leaders. We recorded the panel discussions hihglights for listeners to enjoy who were unable to attend on the day. You can hear reflections on the results of the survey from the team of experts at Larking Gowen, and commentary from Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams, Claudia Roberts, CEO of Zoological Society of East Anglia which operates Banham Zoo and Africa Alive, and Mary Sparrow, owner of Hippersons Boatyard in Norfolk. Valerie...
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Tourism Survey bitesize chat. In tourism, we are storytellers!
Tourism Business Chat
Chris whisked away some leaders in the tourism sector after the Tourism Business Survey seminar on 25 April 2023, and hosted a very special chat. His guests were Oliver Paul, co-owner of Suffolk Food Hall, Tarnia Robertson, a Hospitality Consultant and Business Coach (and former MD of Ufford Park) and Elliott Attew, Manager of Deer’s Glade Caravan and Camping Park. In this bitesize episode, they reflect on the results of the Tourism Business Survey and how the data has reflected concerns and stories around trends and sustainability. They discuss how to make sustainability part of your...
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With Asa Morrison, Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth
Tourism Business Chat
What does your mind conjure up when we say Great Yarmouth? Whether we’ve been there or not, we likely all have something come to mind. That’s the power of marketing and positive experiences. Asa Morrison is Chief Executive of Visit Great Yarmouth, a Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) and tourism business improvement district, of which there are only three in the UK. Asa is passionate about where he lives and works, and his role is to increase support and visitors to Great Yarmouth, in a sustainable and responsible way. He chats to Chris about the issues with the public...
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With Park Director and Managing Director of ROARR!, Adam and Martin Goymour
Tourism Business Chat
This week, Chris speaks to two of East Anglia’s big hitters, Park Director of ROARR!, Adam Goymour, and the park’s Managing Director, Martin Goymour. ROARR! is the UK’s biggest dinosaur themed adventure park, beloved by thousands of families, both locally and across the country. This successful father and son team has taken the park to dizzying heights in recent years. They reflect on what prompted their decision to start up what is now one of the UK’s biggest Halloween scare attractions, PrimEVIL! They even discuss their legal battle surrounding a certain famous dinosaur called Dippy!...
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S4 Ep1 With Steve Magnall, owner of Two Magpies Group
Tourism Business Chat
Chances are, by now, you’ll have seen Steve’s bakeries on one of your days out, or if you haven’t, you likely will do soon! Steve chats to Chris about how he met the founder of Two Magpies Bakery, Rebecca Bishop, and left the corporate life behind him back in 2018, to help invest and grow the then small bakery into the well-known chain it is today. Steve speaks honestly on the financial situation they found themselves in during lockdown, and what they did to ensure the future of the business, and therefore the mortgages of his team, whom he speaks of with great pride. He elaborates on...
info_outlineThis week, Chris Scargill speaks to Philip Turner, founder and managing director of Chestnut; a collection of pubs, inns and restaurants throughout East Anglia.
In their conversation, Philip speaks frankly about the impact that restrictions have had on his own business, as well as the leisure and hospitality sector. He speaks candidly about the Government’s handling of the pandemic, and the anger and frustration this has caused amongst business leaders in the sector. He also reflects on a purchase he made just before lockdown. News of COVID-19 was rumbling in the background at that point, and he explores his feelings around the timing. He reveals what he’s learnt from this experience ̶ if you don’t learn, you don’t get better!
Although he started his career in the City, Philip’s passion for the hospitality sector led him onto the acquisition trail and his words of wisdom for those looking to get into the trade, are invaluable. He hopes that an upside of this pandemic will be an opportunity for both employers and customers to look at the hospitality sector through different eyes, both in terms of careers and turning away from the transient nature of job roles.
Philip reflects on the changes his HR department made at the start of lockdown, focusing on the wellbeing of his teams, and creating a motivational space for people to communicate, and come together, including charitable work they did in their communities. He expresses his fears that many on furlough may never be able to return to full-time work, and that the prospect of the ‘long-term sick note’ is very real as a result of the impact of restrictions on those working in the sector. Cultivating and nurturing your teams is key to the success of your business.
Philip freely admits that he can’t change a keg, but he can balance the spread sheet! As a self-confessed ‘glass half full’ man, Philip has high hopes for the sector moving out of COVID-19. His insights are key for anyone working in the sector, at any level, and business leaders who’ve been impacted by closures or restrictions during the last year.
You can visit Chestnut here.
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