A new official tourism brand for Bury St Edmunds, which has already secured more than £300,000 in funding, has been launched in a bid to boost visitor numbers and overnight stays in the town.

The main aim of Bury St Edmunds and Beyond is to increase the value of tourism in the town, already estimated to be worth more than £47million to the local economy, by encouraging overnight visitors and longer stays.

Behind the new brand is the newly formed Bury St Edmunds Destination Management Organisation (DMO), which will drive visitors to its website – www.burystedmundsandbeyond.co.uk – to showcase all that the town has to offer.

The new official brand has secured funding for the next three years from both the private and public sector, with £150k from St Edmundsbury Borough Council, £60k from the town council, £60k from Our Bury St Edmunds BID, £15k from St Edmundsbury Cathedral, £15k from Gough Hotels and £15k from Bury In Bloom.

Additional income will be raised through membership fees. Membership for tourism-related businesses such as attractions, accommodation providers and restaurants is £95 per year and their contribution will help deliver ongoing marketing and campaigns designed to attract visitors to the town.

Sue Warren, brand and marketing manager for Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, said: “Bury St Edmunds is doing very well but we know it can be doing even better with a more coordinated approach to marketing the town as a visitor destination and as a base to explore the other fantastic towns and villages on our doorstep.

“We have award winning restaurants, a fantastic mix of 200 independent and High Street shops, over 1,000 years of heritage to explore as well as stunning parks, gardens, and historic homes on our doorstep.

“Bury St Edmunds really is a jewel in Suffolk’s crown and we need to tell more people about our story.”

Last year saw an increase of 3% to the value of tourism to the local economy, and Bury St Edmunds and Beyond will be working with the other Suffolk DMOs and Visit Suffolk, ensuring opportunities are taken up to promote the Bury St Edmunds area both nationally and internationally.

Yesterday, a wide range of organisations attended the launch at the Athenaeum on Angel Hill, including representatives from tourism businesses outside Bury St Edmunds.

For more information, click here to visit the new brand website.