AN AMBITIOUS idea to promote Great Dunmow to the outside world has been conjured up at a recent meeting of the town s Chamber of Trade and Commerce. On Tuesday night a discussion on how best to attract people to the area threw up the idea of arranging spe

AN AMBITIOUS idea to promote Great Dunmow to the outside world has been conjured up at a recent meeting of the town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

On Tuesday night a discussion on how best to attract people to the area threw up the idea of arranging special bus tours to come to the town.

The 'Dunmow experience' could include trips to Luckins wine store for tasting events, watching Mr Grumpy make his fudge, and visits to the town's coffee shops and museum.

Membership secretary Terry Laplain came up with the plan and wants to see other business owners get on board.

She said: "Each individual shop in Dunmow could encourage people in during arranged trips by putting on offers or events. If we can get the coaches to come in to town when we are all open it could be a great day out for people.

"Other towns do similar things and I do not see why Dunmow can't. If we can get in touch with coach tour operators we can ask them for advice and take it from there."

Mrs Laplain conceded that the only sticking point was likely to be where to actually park the coaches. Car parking in Dunmow is extremely limited, she said, so a convenient site close to the town centre needs to be found.

Chamber chairman Mike Perry welcomed the idea and suggested that coaches could park in Station Road whilst day-trippers took advantage of the Dunmow sights.

He said: "It is a really lovely idea and one that we should try and follow up. There is plenty to see and do in Dunmow already and if all the shops can get involved in some way we can really put on a good day out for people. We can also ask if the museum can be opened."

The plans will now be forwarded to some local coach tour companies in the hope that feedback can be obtained ready to start planning the Dunmow tours.

Mrs Laplain added: "It would be great if we could get something started by next summer."

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