A NEW organisation has been formed with the aim of promoting Ambleside and organising events in the town.

Ambleside Together has been created by a group of local business people, with the backing of South Lakeland District Council, as a response to the winter storms and their subsequent impact on tourism and visitor numbers.

One of the group’s challenges will be to tell the world that Ambleside – like the rest of the Lake District – is open for business and ready to greet visitors with open arms.

MORE TOP STORIES:

“We are confident that our regular visitors will come back this spring to enjoy their usual pastimes, walking, climbing, cycling and so on,” said newly elected chairman Andrew Hewitt.

“But we also saw this as a good opportunity to come together as a community and jointly promote all that’s great about Ambleside, while at the same time looking at new opportunities and new events that will, perhaps, bring new visitors here as well.”

The group is already working to create a website and some information flyers, and has set up social media networks for a new campaign, Love Ambleside.

They also plan to apply for grants to fund future projects.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for Ambleside, for different business and interests to join together and promote our wonderful village, and the landscape around it,” said Mr Hewitt.

Following an initial meeting at the Regent Hotel at Waterhead, Wendy Rainer was elected treasurer and Paul McDougall as secretary.

A further meeting is being held this Thursday at the Regent Hotel at 5.30pm, and anyone interested in joining the group or finding our more information is welcome to come along.

You can join in the Love Ambleside on facebook, and on Twitter @LoveAmbleside.