April 23, 2015 1.47 pm This story is over 107 months old

Lincoln tourism campaigns take anniversary celebrations national

Visitors’ agenda: Lincoln firms and organisations are banding together to raise national awareness of events in the city this summer.

Rase Distributions lorry paying tribute to Lincoln

Lincoln events surrounding the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta are predicted to draw thousands to the city, and local firms and organisations are banding together in a tourism campaign which will tour the length of the country.

With the £22 million restoration of Lincoln Castle complete, and a packed programme of events bringing people to the area, freight delivery chain Rase Distributions has decided to sport a brand new livery to advertise the city.

The images on the new branding include the cathedral, which formerly housed a copy of the Magna Carta along with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which also has strong heritage links to the city.

With family ties in Lincoln dating back to 1865, Geoff Hill, Managing Director at Rase Distribution, said: “We are very much rooted in Lincolnshire. Rase headquarters is on a World War II RAF base where 12 Squadron and 626 Squadron were stationed and that’s the reason why the livery references the Battle of Britain Flight.

“Now the visitor centre is complete, we felt the time was right to tell the rest of the UK how fantastic we think this city is.

“As vehicle liveries go it must be one of the most eye-catching on the road and we’re looking forward to ‘delivering’ the message about Rase Distribution and our home town of Lincoln as far and wide as possible.”

The new attractive Lincoln livery on the side of the Rase Distribution lorries.

The new attractive Lincoln livery on the side of the Rase Distribution lorries.

Approximately 150,000 people visit Lincoln Castle every year. An independent assessment concluded that the wider Lincoln Castle Revealed project could lead to a 29-55% increase in the overall value of Lincoln tourism.

Visit Lincoln has unveiled a new national marketing campaign designed to boost Lincoln’s profile as part of its ongoing strategy to raise the awareness of Lincoln and increase the number of visitors and the length of stay throughout 2015 and beyond.

The ‘The 800 Campaign’ is hoped to bring people to the city through a range of national advertisements in leading publications.

The Lincoln Castle Grand Opening. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Lincoln Castle Grand Opening. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Emma Tatlow, Visit Lincoln Partnership Manager said: “This year provides Lincoln with a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a strategic marketing campaign that raises awareness of the city and all it has to offer visitors.

“We know that Lincoln and its rural hinterland has a very strong visitor offer – but we also know that awareness is low and that there is potential for growth in the areas visitor economy.

“The 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta and the opening of Lincoln Castle are two fantastic hooks to launch this campaign. This is a real partnership approach and we couldn’t have delivered this activity without the support of partners across the public and private sector, it is the start of something I hope we can continue for years to come.

“The combination of the investment in the city, promotion of the area and efforts to ensure we can provide a warm welcome to all visitors is one that we hope drives growth in the value of the economy – currently worth £168m to the City of Lincoln.”