TOWN businesses, entrepreneurs and residents were all welcomed to an event promoting how to make the most of the Spa’s multi-million pound canal redevelopment project.

The Droitwich Spa Business Day was held at the Raven Hotel on Thursday, April 23.

The event, organised by Wychavon District Council, British Waterways, For Droitwich Spa, Hotelshop and Worcestershire County Council, highlighted an array of economic opportunities that the £11.5million scheme will bring to the area. It is hoped that the project, which will be completed by 2010, will increase town tourism.

A day of exhibitions from business support agencies, such as Business Link and the Chamber of Commerce, guided walks and presentations were organised to raise local awareness of the economic, leisure and tourism opportunities from the rapidly progressing project.

Jane Dobson, economic development officer at Wychavon District Council, said: “This is an exciting time for Droitwich. The canal restoration will mean new businesses and new jobs and will put Droitwich on the map as a tourist destination with increased visitor footfall and spend in the town.”

The day was highly successful with over 30 exhibitors offering training support, business advice and information for tourism businesses on how to make the links to the canal project.

Guided walks to the Netherwich Basin were especially popular, and evening presentations from British Waterways highlighted the benefits of the project to the county, district and town with a case study from Stourport on what has been achieved in terms of local regeneration from their canal basin developments.

For more information about the project visit www.britishwaterways.co.uk/droitwich or call 01452 318000. And if you would like to find out more about the project and all the opportunities it offers to the area contact Jane Dobson on 01386 565278 or email jane.dobson@wychavon.gov.uk