Visit Somerset: For Business

20/08/2026

The Visit Somerset series of informal networking events that are specifically for visitor economy businesses in Somerset resumes next month on 24th September.

Networking with other relevant businesses is so important in visitor economy, and particularly so at the moment. Knowledge exchange and sharing opportunity is integral to how collectively we can all stimulate our sector to the benefit of all.

Our kind hosts at The Middlewick near Glastonbury are Jill Barker and her husband Jonathan Barker - Jill is a former director of Visit Somerset and former winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism category at the Somerset Tourism Awards, with Middlewick itself scooping up multiple awards over recent years.

Middlewick includes a spa and wellness venue - Jill will talk about the rise in the wellness market and how it attracts tourism to the area.

This free event is open to businesses that are not members of Visit Somerset, however we stipulate that attendees are in the visitor economy specifically.

Register here;
https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/business/latest-news/networking-event-at-middlewick-24th-sept

23/07/2026

Our response to the Government's 20% business rates cut.
In a joint statement, David Crew, MD of Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Giles Adams, Chair of Visit Somerset respond.
https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/business/latest-news/our-response-to-the-government-s-20-business-rates

15/07/2026

UCS College Group Catering & Hospitality Foundation Apprenticeship is starting this August and offers a fantastic opportunity for employers to develop young talent aged 16–21 (or eligible 22-24 year olds) while benefiting from a shorter, more flexible programme. More here:
https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/business/latest-news/looking-to-strengthen-your-hospitality-team-for-th?viewmode=0

01/07/2026

Open invitation to Visitor Economy businesses and stakeholders in Somerset & Exmoor.

Visitor Economy enterprises are invited to a briefing by the Somerset and Exmoor Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) including an overview of the Growth Plan and draft Destination Management Plan work and progress that has been funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding.

An online presentation with time for questions will take place on TEAMS on Friday 3rd July at 9.30am with a duplicate in-person event on Tuesday 7th July at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation, Taunton at 1.30pm. The latter will be a looser format, allowing for informal drop-in until 3.30pm.

Please email [email protected] for either a TEAMS link or to advise your attendance on 7th July.

22/06/2026

It’s high time National Highways provided an explanation for the huge increase in M5 RTCs
and closures. It’s having a significant effect on the economies of Cornwall, Devon & Somerset. For years, we’ve asked National Highways, which operates the M5, and Avon and Somerset Police for some analysis of what is going on so that we might collectively try to reduce the frequency and length of closures and mitigate their effects. The response? Silence. We’ll be ramping up the campaign for engagement and action from here.

22/06/2026

Always an interesting discussion - how we balance our ‘product’ with the market.

People trained to experience world as otters, salmon and other River Tone creatures for pioneering research

12/06/2026

VisitEngland is launching its "My Coast Has The Most" campaign from 29 June to 5 July 2026, encouraging LVEP destinations, businesses and local organisations to celebrate the unique places, people and experiences found along England's coastline. Selected content will be amplified across VisitEngland's national channels, providing an excellent opportunity for wider exposure.

Details here: https://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/business/latest-news/visit-england-my-coast-has-the-most%E2%80%A6-campaign

04/06/2026

🫵DO YOU LIKE PUBS?🫵

Have you ever thought about how much we rely on our local pubs, cafés, and restaurants? They’re the backdrop to our catch-ups, our celebrations, and our communities. But right now, the industry is really struggling.

Chef Tom Kerridge is stepping up to help change that by leading the campaign. He’s pushing for a much fairer 10% VAT rate for the hospitality sector.

Here’s the reality: lots of other European countries already step up to support their hospitality industries with lower VAT rates, but the UK is lagging behind. Dropping the rate to 10% isn't just about saving businesses—it’s about protecting the jobs of the people who work there, supporting local suppliers, and keeping our high streets alive.

If you've got a favorite local pub or a café you'd be heartbroken to lose, please take a minute to stand with them and sign the petition.

Let's help keep their doors open. 🍻☕️

The link to sign the petition is in the comments.

Thank you. 🫶

Somerset CAMRA

04/06/2026

The punishment of business continues by those who should support it in order to provide employment.

'People will only pay so much for a pint, and we're right on the edge of pricing ourselves out'

29/04/2026

Visit Somerset had a superb networking evening yesterday courtesy of the Swan Hotel in Wells under the excellent and generous hospitality of General Manager Gordon Harby. The Swan is owned by the Coaching Inn Group who now also own the George & Pilgrims in Glastonbury and making a large investment there.

These events are really gaining traction and in this people-focussed sector it means useful benefits and opportunities are being realised.

Our next event will be at the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster, courtesy of Visit Somerset director Anthony Brunt - Monday 18th May, 5.30pm-7.30pm.

Anthony has an unrivalled knowledge of tourism in West Somerset and Exmoor and continually develops and hosts a wide range of experiences.

Details and booking here -https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/manage/events/1983241391389/details