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St Asaph: Tourism sign plea for cathedral in newest city | St Asaph: Tourism sign plea for cathedral in newest city |
(about 7 hours later) | |
It is one of Britain's newest cities, its cathedral dates back 1,400 years, and now one of its leading churchmen wants a sign - a brown tourism one. | It is one of Britain's newest cities, its cathedral dates back 1,400 years, and now one of its leading churchmen wants a sign - a brown tourism one. |
St Asaph in Denbighshire is on the map but there are fears it may miss maximising its tourist value without the distinctive signs on the A55. | St Asaph in Denbighshire is on the map but there are fears it may miss maximising its tourist value without the distinctive signs on the A55. |
Area Dean, the Rev Quentin Bellamy is looking into the issue on behalf of the cathedral friends. | Area Dean, the Rev Quentin Bellamy is looking into the issue on behalf of the cathedral friends. |
"The cathedral has a unique position," he said. | "The cathedral has a unique position," he said. |
"We're certainly looking carefully to find out what we need to do." | "We're certainly looking carefully to find out what we need to do." |
They have been advised though that the cost could be more than £10,000. | They have been advised though that the cost could be more than £10,000. |
This would include covering lane closures to safely install signs on the dual carriageway - the main tourist route across north Wales. | This would include covering lane closures to safely install signs on the dual carriageway - the main tourist route across north Wales. |
According to Welsh government regulations covering brown signs, they also have to prove visitor numbers. | According to Welsh government regulations covering brown signs, they also have to prove visitor numbers. |
Mr Bellamy, vicar of Prestatyn, said this was "chicken and egg," with the signs only likely to add to the tourist numbers increasing. | Mr Bellamy, vicar of Prestatyn, said this was "chicken and egg," with the signs only likely to add to the tourist numbers increasing. |
"It's a bizarre situation," he added. | "It's a bizarre situation," he added. |
'Historic' | 'Historic' |
"They could be going to coffee shops, spending some time in the city but there will be tourists who are just shooting past." | "They could be going to coffee shops, spending some time in the city but there will be tourists who are just shooting past." |
The friends are to look at sources of funding and making a case for St Asaph, which has a population of just 3,400 but was created a city in 2012 as part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. | The friends are to look at sources of funding and making a case for St Asaph, which has a population of just 3,400 but was created a city in 2012 as part of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. |
Amanda Hone is a self-confessed brown sign nerd, who writes the Follow The Brown Signs blog, and even quit her job to follow her extended hobby and now visits five brown sign attractions a week. | Amanda Hone is a self-confessed brown sign nerd, who writes the Follow The Brown Signs blog, and even quit her job to follow her extended hobby and now visits five brown sign attractions a week. |
She said it was worth the cathedral joining forces with other local attractions to make a joint bid - but they would still end up paying. | She said it was worth the cathedral joining forces with other local attractions to make a joint bid - but they would still end up paying. |
"It is expensive - and it can take a long time but there are grants available and they should be able to argue the case and qualify for a sign," she said. | "It is expensive - and it can take a long time but there are grants available and they should be able to argue the case and qualify for a sign," she said. |
"There was a case of Lincoln recently which is very historic city with a cathedral and they wanted a brown sign off the A1 and it took them in the end 15 years, and the local MP had to get involved." | "There was a case of Lincoln recently which is very historic city with a cathedral and they wanted a brown sign off the A1 and it took them in the end 15 years, and the local MP had to get involved." |
A Welsh government spokesperson said: "We have not received any applications for a brown sign for St Asaph Cathedral but would be happy to consider any that come in." |
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