On our way down to Cornwall last autumn we stopped for lunch at an excellent pub near Exeter called Jack in the Green. Following the usual bit of impromptu research on how the year had been, where their business came from and the like, the owner told me about a new initiative he and a few other local businesses were getting underway.
Arising from a feeling that East Devon tends to be overlooked in favour of destinations further west some of the area’s best places to eat, stay and visit decided to sing their own praises. The result is a new website East Devon Excellence which profiles around 25 establishments who are there by invitation only and selected on the basis of their quality awards, reviews on external websites and official ratings schemes.
The group are planning other collaborative marketing and cross-referral but the website is the main channel to market.
The site communicates the offer well – and interesting to see their focus on people, values and integrity – with personal as an antidote to corporate.
There are other examples of similar business-led collaborations but not that many. Wonder if this is something we will see more of in the new era?