29th February 2012

LYME REGIS: Cruise ship to boost economy

'Top end' American cruise line will visit Lyme this May

By Philip Evans

BIG BUCKS are expected in Lyme Regis if ambitious plans by Lyme Regis Town Council to play host to 100 rich Americans in May pays dividends.

The Americans will arrive in Lyme Regis on Sunday, May 20th on the cruise ship Silver Explorer and are expected to spend an average of 150 dollars each during their 12 hours ashore. That will provide a £20,000 boost to the local economy.

The cruise ship, operated by Silversea Cruises, will be moored in the Bay at about 7am and passengers will be brought ashore by other craft at about 10am and leave at 10pm. In the event of inclement weather, the ship will dock at Portland and the Americans brought to Lyme by coach.

Lyme Regis Town Council, led by the Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman, have been working for many months on the first ever major cruise visit to the resort, with Marcus Dixon, chief executive of Lyme Regis Development Trust, also playing a key role.

It is thought that Lyme’s central position on the Jurassic Coast, colourful history and literary connections will be of great interest to the Americans and a programme of events is being lined up to reflect that.

Detailed information of the plans were revealed at a meeting of the town council’s Tourism and Advertising Sub-Committee on Monday evening. These include the possibility of “Lyme Ambassadors” going on board the ship before the passengers disembark to provide information on the town and to answer questions.

These could include  Mr Dixon, chairman of the Lyme Regis Traders’ Organisation Tony Colston and his wife Stephanie, who have extensive knowledge on the cruise ship industry, and the Lyme Bay Lovelies Red Hat Society. 

Lectures may also be given on board by earth science manager of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Richard Edmonds, and geomorphologist Professor Denys Brunsden, as well as harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw. Tour guide Natalie Mannifold will run three literary walks around the town, geologist Paddy Howe will lead fossil walks and passengers will have the option of taking a coach trip to Abbotsbury. Lyme Regis Town band will be playing on the seafront during the afternoon and it is hoped there will be a special welcome at the Cobb when the passengers disembark. 

There is also the liklehood of a civic reception for the captain of the ship and his senior crew members, with a plaque and gifts being presented.

The Mayor said: “This is the top end of the market of American cruise lines. The Silver Explorer often visits the Antarctic so these are really well-travelled people.

Speaking at the Tourism and Advertising meeting, Councillor Chris Clipson said he hoped “someone had their head around plans for bad weather”. He said: “If they arrive on a coach in the bad weather they might quite quickly disappear again if nothing is arrnaged for them.”

If the visit to Lyme Regis is successful, it is hoped that Lyme will be included on other cruise ship itineraries  in the future. Half of a £3,000 Business Support Grant from West Dorset District Council has been put towards promotional materials on Lyme Regis, which will be displayed at a cruise ship industry trade fair in Miami. The other half of the grant went towards promoting late night shopping in Lyme Regis over Christmas.

Mr Coltson told the View from Lyme Regis: “This is a great opportunity for Lyme Regis. The town has so much to offer and we must make sure that we provide an unforgettable experience for our American visitors.”

PICTURE: TOP END - The Silver Explorer cruise ship

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