SWOT Feedback 2016-19
Here are some of the ideas that have been suggested by members of the Lyn Valley community for the 2016 Economic Plan, and the 2019 Public Survey.
Strengths
| Loyal visitors – high repeat business |
| Great produce, food & drink etc. |
| Free on-street parking offers ‘welcome’ |
| Unspoilt |
| Quiet peaceful – no mobile service |
| Great individual shops in Lynton |
| Incredible walking area |
| Vast local knowledge |
| Tourist Information Centre |
| Growth in healthy lifestyle activity-based holidays |
| Get away – escape |
| Farmers Market |
| The asset of the historic Lynmouth Pavilion |
Weaknesses
| Attractions closed in winter e.g. National Trust, Cliff Railway |
| Lack of information on events for visitors, locally and wider area e.g. TIC board outside – events this week |
| Lack of things for families to do in wet weather The quality of the high street offering in Lynmouth |
| Perception that nothing is open |
| Negative attitude of Met Office |
| Cliff Railway closes |
| Lack of mobility between Lynton and Lynmouth in the evening |
| Facilities for disabled visitors |
| Not enough signs directing to Lynton and Lynmouth |
| Trade association not active enough |
| Shabby buildings |
| Weeds in roadways and paths |
| Dog mess |
| Improving highway priorities at Blackmoor Gate |
| Weather and lack of indoor stuff |
| Lack of things to do for younger people |
| No tourism in the Winter months |
| No advertising in the UK or abroad |
| Lack of professionalism in local restaurants |
| Lack of funding |
| Lack of advertising |
| Lack of support from North Devon Council NNDC |
| Opening times |
| Short season |
| Seasonal employent |
| Poor signage |
Opportunities
| National TV advertising |
| Create new attractions indoor and outdoor – a ‘cross the gorge’ cable ride, adventure ride – hang on tight! Swimming pool / spa |
| Employ a marketing manager for 2/3 years |
| Promote the area to coach parties – tell coach drivers there is easy, spacious parking in Lynton |
| Create a beautiful children’s playground |
| Get more local websites to promote the area |
| Build a Bandstand on the Manor |
| Encourage film making, make a TV series here |
| The school should be involved more in festivals etc. |
| Heritage railway on our doorstep |
| Park and ride from Blackmoor Gate by steam train |
| Increase 2hr on road parking to 4hr and develop field by cemetery |
| Bottom Meadow multi-storey car park? 500 spaces |
| There are 50+ hotels – opportunity for a wholesaler or supermarket |
| More indoor activities for the future – weather… |
| Indoor children’s play / entertainment area |
| Links to outdoor groups – mountain bikers, Ramblers Association, Horse riders |
| Fishing trips |
| Use our history |
| Sand on the beach |
| Locally produced products – craft centre, candles, sheepskin shop, farmers market |
| Exmoor food brand |
| Turf maze on The Manor |
| Change colour of Lynmouth Bridges – first impressions of rust stained white not attractive |
| Promote as a cycling venue |
| Big wheel ‘Lynton Eye’ |
| Stop closing flood museum in winter |
| Greater festival event programme |
| Create ‘attraction’ at end of esplanade to link to 2000+ step path to Hollerday summit |
| Lighthouse type structure, helter-skelter / fun park at esplanade |
| Re-open seawater pool |
| Take control and promote the Lynton / Lynmouth brand |
| Enter National Park at Blackmoor Gate by steam railway |
| Proper big signs for National Park |
| Active trade association |
| Sculptures – overland launch? Renew weir posts as something mad? |
| Park & ride – Valley of Rocks to Blue Ball |
| Weir at Lynmouth to create still water at low tide for play |
| Paddle board franchise? |
| Manor Green development |
| West Lyn parking and cable car links to Lynton and Lynmouth |
| Butcher, Baker, proper Deli |
| Railway on our doorstep |
| Better mobile phone signal |
| Redesign Blackmoor Gate – uncover railway bridge as feature – roundabout – Gateway to Exmoor |
| Greater use of the esplanade (car boot, parking etc.) |
| Family Activities |
| Festivals and Concerts |
| Park and Ride |
| More events |
| Reduce rents on shops |
| Indoor swimming pool |
| Regain ownership of car parks |
| Longer trading hours after 4pm |
| More to do in the winter |
| Hostel |
| Outdoor Activities Centre |
| Working together |
| Sunday bus to Barnstaple |
| More walking tours |
| More promotion of local tourist venues |
| Improve Manor grounds |
| Climbing wall |
| Skateboard Area |
| Archery |
| Improvements to parking |
| Encourage outdoor pursuits |
| Run the 300 Bus service all year round |
| Extention of Railway |
| Make Lynton & Lynmouth more up-market |
| More TV programs |
| National advertising |
| More arts and crafts activities |
| More seating around harbour, river and beach |
| One body to represent all Lynton & Lynmouth interests |
| Working more closely with Visit Exmoor |
| Get the message out there |
| Shuttle bus between Lynton & Lynmouth when the railway is closed |
| Working more closely with the National Trust |
| More publicity of the scenery |
Threats
| Negative attitude of Met Office – 10 years rain?! |
| Business Rates |
| ENPA attitude to signage |
| Road closures and road works in season |
| Prolonged economic downturn |
| ENPA would rather have affordable houses than investment for job creation |
| Weather and lack of indoor stuff |
| Inability to respond to changing visitor requirements through Planning constraints e.g. ‘glamping’ |
| Too much concentration on attracting first time visitors. Not enough on delighting then to come back! |
| Slow Broadband |
| Planning restrictions on necessary improvements in guest facilities (e.g. double glazing in listed building) |
| double glazing in listed building) |
| High parking charges |
| Lack of things to do for younger people |
| Poor public transport |
| No tourism in the Winter months |
| Loss of EU grants and funding |
| Sporadic opening hours of shops and places to eat & drink |
| High business rates |
| VAT threshold |
| Poor signage |
| Brexit uncertainty |
| OTA Bookings (Booking.com) |
| Too many shops selling low quality items |
