News / Corporate entertainment that's really moving...
Corporate entertainment that's really moving with the help of Business Link
With the help of Business Link York and North Yorkshire, a Settle based steam excursion company is expanding into the corporate entertainment market offering ever-changing vistas, the distinctive chug of a steam engine and a stream of billowing smoke in the wake of any business event.
Kingfisher Railtours is expanding its tourist service to include corporate coaches, where companies can entertain clients while travelling in a luxury carriage being pulled by a vintage locomotive on the historic Settle to Carlisle route.
Andy Barton, Business Link adviser, says, “Identifying the opportunity is just the first step when diversifying into a new market. We have worked closely with Kingfisher to establish a business plan that will take the new venture forward, and we soon recognised that a strong, market led approach was central to increasing business within the corporate and tourist services.”
Business Link helped Kingfisher Railtours to access financial support which has enabled the company to appoint Lynne Wilkinson, a marketing consultant from Marketing-U who specialises in the development and delivery of marketing strategies within smaller businesses, to increase the profile of the new service.
The new corporate service had its first outing when the Settle to Carlisle service returned at the beginning of June. 12 corporate clients attended the excursion and enjoyed views of Yorkshire’s ‘Three Peaks’, the lush valley of the River Eden and the picturesque town of Appleby-in-Westmoreland while being served a three course lunch.
Each train can accommodate up to 500 passengers and offer a range of catering facilities from bespoke menus with silver service, hot and cold snacks in the buffet car, to picnic hampers including local produce.
Roger Hardingham, of Kingfisher Railtours, says, “When entertaining corporate clients, making an impact is vital to portray the right message. Our corporate excursions offer a memorable experience in a charming and unique venue.
“Business Link’s support has been a great help, we have received a number of block corporate bookings already and with the marketing programme we have implemented, we are looking forward to our new venture developing further.”
