1 January 2013

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

THIS Spring’s arrival of the Bluebell Railway into East Grinstead is already sparking excitement amongst the town’s traders, says promotions officer Simon Kerr, who is working closely with members of the steam railway to ensure maximum publicity for the historic moment when the first train comes huffing and puffing into East Grinstead mainline station around Eastertime.

The long-awaited delivery of a first-class tourist attraction right to the town’s doorstep has taken 30 years and millions of pounds to become a reality, but it will be a real “game changer” says Simon which will up visitor numbers and create new opportunities for East Grinstead’s businesses.

“Right now we are focusing on our annual tourism leaflet Discovering East Grinstead which is distributed throughout the South East and obviously we are making a big feature of the Bluebell Railway arriving in that.

“We are also working hard to have all the necessary tourism signage in place and at developing ideas for how Bluebell Visitors can pass an enjoyable hour or so in the town during their trips up and down the line.”

Many of the prestige hotels locally will be doing their own marketing to promote trips on the Golden Arrow Pullman dining trains, which will using East Grinstead as a departure base for the first time this year.

And Simon will also be focusing on events in East Grinstead which can be promoted in tandem with the Bluebell’s timetable, in what he hopes will increasingly become a joint project.

“Our first prospective event in the high summer is anticipated to be a celebration of our wine heritage cunningly marketed under the banner of Grape Expectations,” he laughed.

“We will be featuring some of the surrounding vineyards in and around the town, plus of course an opportunity for several of the wine sales outlets in the town to make known their own expertise.

“It is surprising just how much connection East Grinstead has with the wine industry. Private Liquor Brands in Dorset House is one example, as is international wine expert Bill Rolfe, the owner of importers 10 International Ltd and of the High Street’s Market Square.”