Sharing a very special status with iconic global attractions including The Pyramids of Giza, the Great Wall of China, the Grand Canyon, the Tower of London, the village of Saltaire is designated as one of the most important historical destinations on the planet.
And that presents an unique opportunity for businesses in the village which they are being urged to make the most of with the publication of a new ‘toolkit’ to help them.
The idea behind the Saltaire Heritage Site Business Toolkit is to help the many independent businesses in the town to fully capitalise on the village’s position – and at the same time, those behind it also hope it will help raise awareness of the heritage jewel that is right on their doorstep.
Saltaire gained UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site status in 2001, joining other British locations including Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, the Tower of London and the Lake District, along with the global ones listed above.
The designation is intended to protect historically important sites and places for future generations to be able to enjoy and experience.
The pioneering work of philanthropic mill owner Sir Titus Salt in planning and creating one of the first model industrial textile villages in Saltaire, and the fact that it mostly remains intact today, were key factors in that designation.
Visitors can still see the stunning architecture of Salts Mill, which was the biggest factory in the world when it opened in 1853; they can see the workers homes laid out under Sir Titus; guidance; and wonderful buildings such as the United Reformed Church, were Sir Titus is interred.
Around 300,000 people from across the world come to the village each year. The heritage is complemented by the magnificent Roberts Park, also built by Sir Titus, a host of independent shops and restaurants, and of course the David Hockney link, with one of the largest collections of art by the Bradford-born world famous artist David Hockney now to be found showcased in the Salts Mill building.
The new Heritage Toolkit, developed as part the England’s World Heritage Story: The North project, is intended to help businesses make the most of their historic surroundings – and to try and bring more people in, and encourage them to spend longer in the village.
Sheena Campbell, Saltaire World Heritage Officer at Bradford Council, said at the launch of the kit that it will help entrepreneurs “make the most of their streets”.
The Destination England Fund project is also designed to raise awareness and boost visitor numbers to the historic village and to try and encourage visitors to stay for more than one day. This includes the creation of bookable itineraries between one and five days.
Local businesses have welcomed the idea. Natalia Jedlinski, owner of Salt Pots, said: “Saltaire is a great place to do business, we have some wonderful customers who really appreciate the distinctiveness and charm of Saltaire.
“Saltaire is really thriving with lots of independents but it’s difficult for us to get together and actually have one voice.
“We believe that by working together the business community can really reap the benefits our location in a UNESCO World.”
She said there was a desire to restart the Saltaire Business Forum, and to have a monthly meeting to network, share ideas for special promotions at Christmas and other events, and improve security in the area.
The electronic toolkit has been sent out to every single business in Saltaire along with a set of branding guidelines and some bespoke video and photography.
Mountain Goat, organiser of small specialist coach tour groups, plans to work more closely with the village.
Opportunities that are highlighted include businesses in Saltaire working together to promote the World Heritage Site brand, using social media channels, linking in with year round events programmes, using Use World Heritage Site on branding, building itineraries and links to other sites in the North of England and around the UK, and linking into the other destination marketing themes across the district.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We are very proud of the fact that we have the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saltaire in our district.
“It is a fantastic place for people to live, work and visit.
“It is hoped that this toolkit for businesses helps them to really make the most of having this unique place on their doorstep.”
Businesses and Council officers alike are vying for the toolkit’s benefit to be shared across the district, advertising the surrounding countryside and moorlands or the nearby Shipley Glen Tramway.
Gina Pittendreigh, from Rad Studio, said: “We get a lot of people who have links to mills and want to see where their family have come from. There was a guy a couple of weeks back whose father ran the store next door.
“The more people that come in, the better the services will become.”
Sheena said: “We have been working really hard to bring this toolkit together. Our local businesses are an essential part our World Heritage site community and we really want to work with them and to support them. We hope that they find the toolkit useful.”
