Oswestry has been awarded Coach Friendly status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT). It follows work by the Shropshire town’s Business Improvement District (BID) to grow the frequency and regularity of coach visits.
The award was made by CPT Regional Manager John Burch (pictured, third from right) and Coaching Manager Phil Smith, with Tanat Valley Coaches and a vehicle from its fleet also present. Mr Smith says that Coach Friendly status “is instrumental for businesses within towns to increase their earning potential, improve air quality, and reduce congestion.”
He adds that the Confederation will now engage with its coach operator members “to put Oswestry firmly on the map for both seasonal trips and day excursions.”
It is understood that applications for Coach Friendly status for other towns and cities are in hand, including Fleetwood, Richmond and Shrewsbury, with the Confederation having asked members to make it aware of others that may be suitable. Interest in the scheme from Scotland is also growing.
In a blog post from 2021 describing the scheme, Mr Smith noted that award of Coach Friendly status is a useful method for the coach industry to open dialogue with local politicians and other stakeholders “who might not… realise the environmental and economic benefits that coaches bring to the areas that they either represent or run their businesses in.”
Oswestry BID Manager Adele Nightingale says that Oswestry expects to “welcome many new visitors” to the town now it has secured the accreditation.
“A strong and sustainable local economy is the heartbeat of a town, and we see Coach Friendly accreditation as a really positive step in support of that strategy. Our thanks also to Oswestry Town Council for its assistance with the project, and for hosting the presentation.”
Local group Oswestry Borderland Tourism has also welcomed the achievement. Says Chairman Lee Lucks: “We are delighted that the town of Oswestry has been awarded Coach Friendly status.
“We are always looking for ways to bring more visitors to our lovely town, and being known as Coach Friendly will give us even more opportunities to showcase all the best of our friendly market town.
“With the Tourist Information Centre next to where most coach parties are dropped off, we are looking forward to meeting visitors as soon as they arrive, and being able to point them to all the great places to see.”
