Frequently Asked Questions

Please review the FAQs listed below which may answer your question. If the FAQs dont help then you can contact us via the link at the bottom of the page.

Q: How do I promote my business to tourists?
Q: I want to expand my business and need to put together a business plan to 'make the case' to my bank. Where can I find market information about tourism on Merseyside?
Q: My restaurant serves fantastic food but I find it difficult to get staff who are focused on customer service. How can you help?
Q: All my friends tell me that I should be promoting my business online. I don't know the first thing about computers and don't know where to start.
Q: How do I know if my visitor attraction is doing as well as it should be?
Q: Can someone tell me what I should be doing to make my premises more accessible to disabled visitors?
Q: I've got some great staff who have made a massive contribution to my business success this year. How can I show my appreciation of their efforts?
Q: I need to improve my productivity and performance. What help is there for me?
Q: How do I make savings on my energy costs?
Q: Where can I find an introductory tour of the city for my new members of staff?

Q: How do I promote my business to tourists?
A: As the Tourist Board for Merseyside, The Mersey Partnership has a range of promotional opportunities for individual tourism businesses which will put your product and/or service in front of visitors to the area. Contact: Carolyn Houghton on 0151 237 3927 or Carolyn.Houghton@merseyside.org.uk for details of our membership scheme or click here to be redirected to the Membership section of this website.
Q: I want to expand my business and need to put together a business plan to 'make the case' to my bank. Where can I find market information about tourism on Merseyside?
A: Click here for general information about volume and value of tourism to Merseyside, or call England's Northwest Research Service, based at The Mersey Partnership - Ian Raymond on 0151 237 3521 email ian.raymond@merseyside.org.uk Click here for more information about The Research Service who can signpost you to relevant publications and help you find out about your own customers through bespoke surveys.
Q: My restaurant serves fantastic food but I find it difficult to get staff who are focused on customer service. How can you help?
A: TMP offers a variety of support to small tourism businesses. We can help by providing you with low cost customer service training for your staff. Contact: Kerry Holmes on 0151 237 3940 or email: kerry.holmes@merseyside.org.uk
Q: All my friends tell me that I should be promoting my business online. I don't know the first thing about computers and don't know where to start.
A: There are a number of options open to you. If you are a rated accommodation business and a member of TMP you can promote your business free of charge on www.visitliverpool.com. We can even help you develop your own website and sell your rooms online. For an informal chat about what's right for your business contact Brian Povey on 0151 237 3911 or email brian.povey@merseyside.org.uk
Q: How do I know if my visitor attraction is doing as well as it should be?
A: Join the VAQAS (Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme). This will benchmark your attraction against the best in the country and help you make improvements that will lead to greater customer satisfaction and repeat business. Contact: Brian Povey on 0151 237 3911 or email brian.povey@merseyside.org.uk
Q: Can someone tell me what I should be doing to make my premises more accessible to disabled visitors?
A: Contact Pam Wilsher on 0151 237 3916 or email pam.wilsher@merseyside.org.uk who will arrange for a free advisory visit by one of our Nationally Registered Access Consultants. Click here for more information on our 08 For All project, aimed at making Merseyside a destination of choice for disabled visitors.
Q: I've got some great staff who have made a massive contribution to my business success this year. How can I show my appreciation of their efforts?
A: Nominate the individuals for a local tourism award in your district - Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton. Also consider putting your business forward for a TMP Award which could lead to regional and national recognition.
Q: I need to improve my productivity and performance. What help is there for me?
A: There are a number of business improvement initiatives we might suggest for you such as Profit Through Productivity. You should also participate in the Tourism Business Performance Survey which will give you a quarterly indication of how businesses in the area are performing.
Q: How do I make savings on my energy costs?
A: Join the Green Tourism Business Scheme which will provide you with lots of tips on how to make savings and give your business a new 'greener' image. Contact Steve Fowler on 0151 237 3928 or email: steve.fowler@merseyside.org.uk
Q: Where can I find an introductory tour of the city for my new members of staff?
A: Join one of our free 'Walk the Walks' which run regularly through most of the year. Contact Kerry Holmes on 0151 237 3940 or email kerry.holmes@merseyside.org.uk

If these FAQs have not answered your query you may leave further comments and we will try and respond as soon as possible.

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