Wells Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace first in Somerset to achieve accolade
Wells Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace have been awarded Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) Coach Friendly status, the first attractions in Somerset to receive the accolade.
The two attractions worked with Visit by Coach consultant Ian Jefferies to develop their applications.
Lindsay Mann, Head of Marketing and Communications at Wells Cathedral, says: “The award clearly demonstrates the value both institutions place on our relationship with the coach industry and the benefit it brings to the city as a whole.
"We are delighted to have been recognised by the CPT and will continue to work with our colleagues across the city to develop our city-wide welcome."
Merryn Kidd, Marketing and Communications Manager at The Bishop’s Palace, says: “Receiving this accolade is a fantastic boost for both the Palace and the Cathedral. Both sites have always welcomed coach groups, but over the last year we have been working together to ensure that we are totally focused on the needs of our group passengers, so that the coach travel industry know their experience in Wells will be of the very highest quality."
The city of Wells is seeing other improvements for coach groups. The meet-and-greet team will start welcoming coaches into the coach station this month, and better information, driver gratuities, driver rest room, and discounts in local businesses for passengers are also coming.
Wells is also publishing a DVD with information on what passengers will see, which can be played on the coach.
CPT Coach Friendly status recognises and rewards the commitment made by locations and attractions to understand the requirements of coaches and their passengers, and provide first-class facilities, access and information for drivers.
Applicants for the award must provide evidence of meeting a comprehensive list of requirements.
There are 25 UK locations with the status. The scheme was extended in 2016 to include individual visitor attractions.
John Burch, CPT’s SW Regional Manager, says: “The CPT Coach Friendly Attraction scheme is gaining ground for individual locations that want to demonstrate their coach-friendly credentials.
"The south west already has six locations that have earned either Coach Friendly town or Coach Friendly Attraction status. We decided that there were now a good number of coach destinations that had worked very hard in their own right to become coach-friendly. They deserve their opportunity to benefit from the increased coach trade that the Coach Friendly Attraction status can bring.
"The twin attractions of Wells Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace are superb examples of fascinating historic coaching destinations. These two locations should be on any tour itinerary taking in Somerset.
"We are very keen to see other locations work to provide the same benefits for coach groups as Wells Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.”
