WHAT IS NORTHAMPTONSHIRE SURPRISE?

Established in 2016 we are a destination partnership, run by and with business leaders, providing a solution to what tourism and hospitality businesses tell us they need in the current climate.

Championing Northamptonshire as an exceptional visitor destination and a great place in which to live and work, our focus is on supporting and promoting toursim businesses, attracting visitors and footfall, and encouraging the sustainable development of the sector.

View the details of our new Tourism Business Network here.

OUR GOVERNANCE AND FUNDING MODEL

We are a co-operative hosted by Made in Northamptonshire. Our operation is financed by:

1. Sponsorship from our generous headline sponsor Archways Real Estate
2. Campaign funding from the North and West Unitary Councils
3. Tourism Business Network membership, ranging from hotels to visitor attractions and food and drink (view details here)
4. Grant support which has included funding for core operating costs from Visit England, North and West Northamptonshire Councils, and for digital projects from SEMLEP

Our work is directed by a highly experienced and representative voluntary board:
Rachel Mallows, Director, Made in Northamptonshire & Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards (Chair)
James Miller, Fine Art Consultant (Deputy Lieutenant and previous Chair)
James Saunders Watson, Lord Lieutenant and Owner, Rockingham Castle
David Laing, Patron, Northamptonshire Community Foundation
Oliver Wicksteed, Chairman, Wicksteed Park
Amanda Lowther, Partner, British Art Portfolio
Cllr Andre Gonzales de Savage, Chair, Adrenaline Alley and Chairman, West Northamptonshire Council
Andrew Hollett, General Manager, Kettering Park Hotel
Richard Clinton, Chief Executive, Delapre Abbey
Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director of Place, Economy & Environment, West Northamptonshire Council (Observer)
George Candler, Director of Place & Economy, North Northamptonshire Council (Observer)
Helen Miller, Assistant Director Enterprise & Employability, University of Northampton

Working to the board we retain a freelance place marketer, Kate Dent, on a part time basis.
Kate has substantial experience of developing and delivering tourism strategies and DMOs, strong public and private sector background, and excellent PR links having secured for example this excellent national coverage:
https://bit.ly/NNHotelsIndependent
http://bit.ly/NorthantsTelegraphArticle

LOOKING FORWARD

This is a time of huge challenge for the tourism sector with many food and drink, hospitality and attractions businesses potentially fighting for their future. Cost of living increases and energy cost uncertainty is having a significant impact on tourism and the wider sector. We are committed to bringing partners together to talk through what we can do collectively to support.

At the same time, with the recent growth in the staycation market and the potential for a Northamptonshire tourism partnership to join a network of accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs), it is also a time of great opportunity. Northamptonshire, as a whole county with which the potential visitor is familiar, is well positioned to capture an increasing share of the domestic visitor market if it builds on the work that has already started and is yielding results.

We hope to continue working with partners to continue to spread a single compelling vision of the county and deliver the benefits not only of a growing and successful visitor economy, but also of its treasures in the context of the growth agenda; a location of choice for visitors, residents and businesses alike.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to find out more about our Tourism Partnership on [email protected].

This page was last updated in February 2023.