A scheme designed to add value for rail passengers and support local business has been launched in Sheringham with plans to expand the initiative to other towns over coming weeks.
Passengers arriving in the town via the Bittern Line will be able to access various discounts and offers in several local shops, eateries, and attractions. Participating businesses display a yellow notice in their window and all a rail passenger must do is show a valid ticket or proof of travel on the day of their journey to claim an offer or discount which the outlet chooses to make available.
John Roseby, Chair of Sheringham Chamber of Trade and Commerce said; “We are really pleased to be working with the Community Rail Partnership to encourage sustainable travel by rail, and at the same time encouraging rail passengers to use businesses in Sheringham participating in the promotion.
The town is known for a wonderful variety of independent small shops and traders, as well as an ever-improving choice of hospitality, along with some amazing attractions, like the North Norfolk Railway, and the fascinating “Mo” museum – to mention just a couple. Rail passengers will be encouraged to use participating businesses, by looking out for a sign in businesses’ windows indicating their involvement. These businesses will have an offer in store, all passengers will have to do is produce their ticket for the day.
I would like to thank the Community Rail Partnership for their help and involvement and working with the traders of Sheringham. Joint promotions like this are extremely positive for the town, wider tourism and consequently the local community, as well as encouraging sustainable travel in the area.”
Thirty-five businesses in Sheringham have joined the scheme so far with its simplicity in that all a passenger has to do is show a valid ticket or proof of travel on the day they travel, and businesses can choose what their own offer or discount will be, with a simple yellow sign denoting those participating displayed in the outlet window.
Peter Mayne Chairman of the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership and its parent organisation Community Rail Norfolk added; “The Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership is pleased to be launching this new scheme designed to both support local business and offer increased value to rail passengers. “The railway is the most sustainable form of public transport, and the Partnership is committed to promoting the railway and supporting the local economy. “We are grateful to all the businesses that have come on board with the scheme so far and plan to extend the scheme to other locations along the Bittern Line over the coming months.”
Andrew Munden, General Manager of the North Norfolk Railway said; “The North Norfolk Railway is pleased to be joining this scheme which adds value to passengers travelling on the Bittern Line, those showing a valid rail ticket on the day can receive a discount of 10% on purchases in our Sheringham station café.”
Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, Alan Neville, said, “The Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership deserves huge recognition for this fantastic collaborative project which creates a ‘win-win’ effect for everyone, adding great value to the price of the train ticket, encouraging people back to rail thereby helping to relieve pollution and congestion in our town centres, and attracting people to visit the businesses and attractions which have kindly offered discounts, aiding the area’s recovery from Covid.”
The Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership plan to expand the initiative over the coming weeks with the scheme open to all businesses in communities along the line including Salhouse, Hoveton & Wroxham, Worstead, North Walsham, Gunton, Roughton Road, Cromer, West Runton and Sheringham. Proprietors wishing to join the scheme are asked to email info@bitternline.com for further information.