what we do
who we work with
Tourism & Economic Development Officers
Acorn works with Tourism and Economic Development Officers and Planning Departments. Clients from unitary authorities, county and district councils, community groups and not-for-profit organisations ask us to undertake public consultations, visitor economy studies, feasibility and business plans for visitor centres, country parks, heritage properties and museums.
We have developed business plans for education, visitor and Tourist Information Centres for clients such as the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Hastings Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
AONBs, National Parks and other heritage organisations and protected landscapes have used Acorn’s guidance to develop market driven Master Plans, or Country Break itineraries to promote sustainable rural development, or facilitate green tourism business groups.
“I commissioned Acorn because they demonstrated a clear understanding of our needs and a convincing methodology to meet them. Their diligence and flexibility was a great asset, which resulted in an excellent piece of work that has been warmly welcomed here at Richmond Council. The findings will now be used to inform our Visitor Action Plan - exactly what we needed it to do”.
Sean Gillen, Economic Development Manager, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Case Studies
Princes Risborough Visitor Development Plan, Risborough Area Community Action
We worked with the local community action group to co-ordinate and develop the town’s approach to visitors.
Winchelsea Property Portfolio, National Trust
We identified feasible options for developing the National Trust’s portfolio of nine properties in the historic town of Winchelsea, East Sussex.
Reculver Country Park Master Plan, Canterbury City Council
Acorn, with landscape architects AllenScott developed an award winning Master Plan to develop Reculver as a strategic hub for leisure and green tourism.