Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

cuth · Post by **cuth** » 07 Jul 2010, 15:49

admin: split from "Portobello Beach" sign.

As a matter of interest, why are we so keen to get people to visit the beach? It's not as though it's going to close down if no-one turns up.

There are only four businesses on the front and they all seem packed most of the time. None of the businesses on the High Street really cater for tourists. I don't think people really come to Porty Beach and think 'Oh! I might as well get a new pair of specs and kilo of spuds while I'm here'.

Lambie · Post by **Lambie** » 07 Jul 2010, 15:51

That deserves a bit of thought.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 07 Jul 2010, 17:42

cuth wrote:. None of the businesses on the High Street really cater for tourists.

OK , so we don't have any tartan tat shops, but I suspect many of the food outlets would welcome the passing trade, especially during the summer holidays, when they can't rely on the kids from the High school at lunchtime.

Tourists also like pampering packages such as getting their hair done or having their nails painted etc.

Additionally, the more tourists we attract then the more likely it is we will be able to attract Fringe and Science Festival events - all surely good for the local economy and the future of the Town Hall?

And then there's that tram link you hanker after Cuth..

Post by **wangi** » 07 Jul 2010, 19:03

It's win-win surely? A more lively and vibrant Prom would support further businesses and help those already there through the leaner months. That means more choice for us locals.

The High St and Bath St are the gateway to the beach and I'm sure there's a lot of knock-on possibilities for increasing turnover for shops.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 07 Jul 2010, 22:26

I like cuth's honesty in asking these questions. They deserve thought and a grown up discussion.

I love that this week there has been so much positivity generated by Paul and his Busk idea. That's what makes this place great. With that level of energy we can do all sorts.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 10 Jul 2010, 12:19

are we in this?:

Inside The Scotsman this Saturday, 10 July, get your FREE Beaches of Scotland Map. This map illustrates over 100 beaches with many well-known locations and destinations - and others - you may not even know they exist. Hopefully you get the opportunity to enjoy and explore at least one of them this summer.

Scotland boasts some of the world's most stunning and far flung beaches from remote bays, surfing spots, rocky coves, hidden beaches along the loch shores, award-winning 'Blue Flag' beaches to the vast expanses of sand as far as the eye can see - their variety and natural beauty is breathtaking. The mainland coastline stretches 6,000 miles, increasing to over 10,000 miles including its numerous islands and rocky outcrops.

Get The Scotsman this Saturday for your FREE Beaches of Scotland Map.
Scotland Only.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Jul 2010, 17:16

rapunzell wrote:are we in this?:

Inside The Scotsman this Saturday, 10 July, get your FREE Beaches of Scotland Map.

Dunno. Were we? There will be hell to pay if we weren't!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Jul 2010, 18:57

We spent a couple of days in Blackpool recently. Not much has changed in the 40 or so years since I last visited as a child but Blackpool has BIG plans. Re-branding, re-positioning, ReBlackpool in fact.

Miles of new promenade and sea defences have been constructed with help from a £62 million contribution from DEFRA, itself just part of a much bigger 15 year re-generation plan costing many hundreds of millions of pounds.

OK, Portobello isn't Blackpool and nor would we want to be but BPL isn't going to be left in the past and nor should we.

Blackpool 'to be most exciting European resort'

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jul 2010, 20:27

Bob Jefferson wrote:
rapunzell wrote:are we in this?:

Inside The Scotsman this Saturday, 10 July, get your FREE Beaches of Scotland Map.
Dunno. Were we? There will be hell to pay if we weren't!

I saw the map briefly and yes Portobello was on it!

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 17 Jul 2010, 10:02

Bob Jefferson wrote:We spent a couple of days in Blackpool recently. Not much has changed in the 40 or so years since I last visited as a child but Blackpool has BIG plans. Re-branding, re-positioning, ReBlackpool in fact.

Miles of new promenade and sea defences have been constructed with help from a £62 million contribution from DEFRA, itself just part of a much bigger 15 year re-generation plan costing many hundreds of millions of pounds.

OK, Portobello isn't Blackpool and nor would we want to be but BPL isn't going to be left in the past and nor should we.

Blackpool 'to be most exciting European resort'

Why isn't there a 'like' button on here as on Fb?

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 17 Jul 2010, 10:06

Bob - maybe a new topic - A Vision for Porty.......

am sure everyone has lots of good ideas. After all lots of us don't bother getting involved in these quasi-official 'visioning' exercise that go on now and again - would be good to hear what other folk think?

I love the whole outdoor seating and cafe culture that's started and think a lot more could be done to encourage this. Re-siting bins and having tables and chairs in that section at bottom of Bath Street would be a positive step to me.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Jul 2010, 10:11

Re-a-pier?

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 17 Jul 2010, 13:57

Porty wrote:Re-a-pier?

Yes but a proper Georgian/ Victorian pier not a Miami pier or a Parliamentary pier

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jul 2010, 10:27

Puerto bella wrote:Bob - maybe a new topic - A Vision for Porty.......

Well, I think that this thread has already outgrown its original scope and should perhaps be re-titled 'Promoting Portobello as a Tourist Destination'.

Must admit, I'm inspired by what Blackpool is doing. VisitBlackpool even has its own YouTube channel. Take a look at these two funny and clever short films:

J'aime la Tour
Love, from Blackpool

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jul 2010, 11:02

Just realised there is already another thread relating to the wider issues of promoting Portobello. Admin, could you do some tidying up when you have time please?

admin: somewhat tidied up... ish...

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 18 Jul 2010, 21:05

I agree. Porty needs a joined up and well thought out approach to promoting itself with a wider audience - we need a vision for Portobello and a list of actions that together would see our town prosper.

One aim would be to getting Porty listed as one of the top 10 thing to do when in Edinburgh (we don't even feature in the 65 sights for Edinburgh in the Lonely Planet's section for Edinburgh!) I've emailed them to see if they can give us a mention.

Tripadvisor at least lists us as no 18 but I guess more comments/feedback left might bump us up that list. Visit scotland doesn't list a beach under it's visitor attractions for Edinburgh.

THe size of the task is significant but as many have said on this forum before we have a great community spirit in Porty that with the right approach could make a real difference (look at Leith's shore 10 years ago compared with now!)

Post by **wangi** » 19 Jul 2010, 12:28

http://news.scotsman.com/comment/Helen- ... 6426838.jp

Helen Martin wrote:Helen Martin: Let our seaside jewel sparkle
Published Date: 19 July 2010

HAVING been born a Weegie, I'm prepared to accept I probably have a different view of Edinburgh from a native.
That doesn't mean I'm negative. It's been home for more than 20 years, longer than Glasgow was my consistent home, and I have no desire to live anywhere else.

But ever since I settled here, I have wondered year after year how the Capital can ignore an asset Glasgow would kill for.

Not the Palace or the Castle, not Arthur's Seat, all of which are magnificent, but Portobello. For any city to have a beach like that hardly more than ten minutes from its centre is truly a gift from God.

I have watched, perplexed, as vast amounts of money have been spent on Leith, very little of which in my view, has paid off. Oh yes, there are a clutch of wonderful restaurants, some successful and arty ad agencies and the Royal Yacht. But the plethora of executive flats towering over Ocean Terminal have struggled to hold value and are already looking tacky. Retreat back from the shore and Leith is - with apologies to die-hard Leithers - pretty grim. Historically the docks might have been the centre but to incomers and strangers, the centre of Leith is where the main streets and shops are, an area that is not just uninspiring but decidedly down-market.

I was baffled by the idea of Granton-Sur-Mer, a project that has now had to be shelved anyway. In two decades, I don't think I've ever been to Granton (more apologies to Grantonites). All I know about it is that it has something to do with gas works.

Not that Granton and Leith don't deserve investment but it was always Portobello which had the potential and was the easiest way to start the coastal make-over. A mile of golden sand, a history which included wealthy Victorians taking the sea air and building holiday homes - architecture that is still there, a hot spot for tourism in the Fifties and Sixties.

Yet since then it has been undeveloped and un-modernised, despite the valiant attempts of local residents and businesses. It has been searching for a new identity, but instead has been left to its memories.

Its only option without investment, has been to struggle to hold on to the failing appeal of a mini-Blackpool, reflected in the few local shops with desultory displays of buckets and spades and the amusement arcade plopped on the end of the prom. . . the kiss-me-quick place that kisses forgot.

It's hardly surprising that the May bank holiday weekend saw the beach taken over by fighting-binge drinkers resulting in a local by-law to introduce fines to limit antisocial behaviour. Apart from dog-walkers . . . who else is using it?

I recall about 15 years ago interviewing a local cafe owner who was trying to galvanise opinion to re-invent Porty.

He said part of his challenge at the time was to pressure tourist offices in Edinburgh to direct visitors asking about a beach their way, rather than to Cramond.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 19 Jul 2010, 16:10

This is great publicity and the more of this we can get the better but I guess the big question is how we, as a community, can create the impetus to make change happen in our own back yard.

I certainly don't have the answers but would be willing to get involved if the desire to make change happen is out there.

Lambie · Post by **Lambie** » 19 Jul 2010, 17:03

I'm in.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 19 Jul 2010, 20:13

Just received the following reply from Lonely Planet - might be worthwhile if a few more people dropped them a line too.

"Thanks for recommending this beach – I'm sure our authors will be very interested to hear about it. I'll forward your email on so they can check it out when next updating our Scotland guidebook.
Reader recommendations are a great help to our authors in choosing places to list in our books, and we appreciate you taking the time to send this in.
If you have any more suggestions or feedback that you think might be useful please feel free to send them in via our website:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/contact/gui ... edback/new
Regards,
Trent"

Lambie · Post by **Lambie** » 19 Jul 2010, 21:20

This is a great response isn't it? Between this and trip advisor and petitioning visit Scotland we're surely raising the Porty Profile

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 20 Jul 2010, 12:49

Does anyone know if there are spaces available on the community council and is it open for anyone to join?

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 21 Jul 2010, 21:51

......anyone?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 21 Jul 2010, 23:04

mcdryburn wrote:Does anyone know if there are spaces available on the community council and is it open for anyone to join?

I'm afraid you missed the 'elections' mcdryburn so all the individual places are taken, but there are still vacancies for group representatives. ( Groups, however, need to meet certain criteria such as having a constitution.)
Shouldn't prevent you attending meetings and contributing though. All meetings are open to the public and are held on the last Mon of the month (except for July and December), at 7.30 pm in the Baptist Church Hall, behind the Portobello Bar on the High Street.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 27 Jul 2010, 21:14

Hi - I just noticed we've moved up one place in the Tripadvisor top 20 Edinburgh attractions (from 18 to 17). We're now ahead of the Botanics and Edinburgh Castle.

We need to encourage friends of porty to add reviews to the site to see if we can make the top 10!

Lambie · Post by **Lambie** » 27 Jul 2010, 22:49

Just wait until after the Busk. We'll storm the charts.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 28 Jul 2010, 12:53

that would be great. I also emailed Timeout as they too don't mention Porty on their website as a thing to do in Edinburgh. There's also another one Virtualtourist.com which has no meantion of us either in the Edinburgh section. This too allows reviews to be added so I'm in the process of sorting that now.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 04 Aug 2010, 18:23

mcdryburn wrote:Hi - I just noticed we've moved up one place in the Tripadvisor top 20 Edinburgh attractions (from 18 to 17). We're now ahead of the Botanics and Edinburgh Castle.

We need to encourage friends of porty to add reviews to the site to see if we can make the top 10!

Now rated 15th

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 01 Feb 2011, 13:54

Marya wrote:
mcdryburn wrote:Hi - I just noticed we've moved up one place in the Tripadvisor top 20 Edinburgh attractions (from 18 to 17). We're now ahead of the Botanics and Edinburgh Castle.

We need to encourage friends of porty to add reviews to the site to see if we can make the top 10!
Now rated 15th

And today we're at number 7!

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 02 Feb 2011, 13:52

That's fantastic news.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 02 Feb 2011, 14:07

Just had a look at the latest review on Tripadvisor and this made it stand out to me how little we are promoted.

"We learned about the Portobello Beach from our Guest House host when we arrived a little early for check-in. Truthfully, we hadn't actually realised that there WAS a beach and promenade so near to Edinburgh city centre and we were DELIGHTED by it. The sun was shining, children were building sandcastles or paddling in the water and the whole atmosphere... "

Does anyone know whether the Community Council, Edinburgh City Council or the Tourist Board are taking proactive steps to promote Porty? - we have a gem on our doorsteps and with a little action we can get the place noticed which in turn drives up visitors and cash for our community.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 03 Feb 2011, 22:54

On the bus back from town this afternoon. Two young Dutch people asked me to tell them when we got to Portobello. We started chatting, they were on hol for a week, had done the tourist stuff, been to Linlithgow and Stirling as well and wanted to see our beach as they'd seen it flying in.....they'd found their way here reading bus stops/ maps, but there was no sign to tell them when they'd reached Porty as we know.

They were surprised that the place wasn't promoted by the tourist people they'd spoken with. I showed them the beach and as the rain was coming on - pointed them in the direction of the Beach House - hope they weren't thinking it would be like a Dutch coffee shop

Felt like a bit of a tour guide but also felt somebody needed to show them and they were very nice.

I concluded that we need 'signposting', by that I meant verbal or a leaflet at the tourist office, bus stops - community council/ amenity society - can't you do that? Maybe in the summer months - a walking tour - there are lots of very knowlegable historian type people who could help with that? More spill out seating from the cafes onto the Prom and move those bloody unsightly bins that block the view of the beach.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 04 Feb 2011, 08:41

Talking of signposting - a replacement 'Welcome to Portobello' sign is due to back up along towards Kings Road.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 04 Feb 2011, 18:16

seanie wrote:Talking of signposting - a replacement 'Welcome to Portobello' sign is due to back up along towards Kings Road.

Hooray.

Mark Cameron · Post by **Mark Cameron** » 02 Mar 2011, 14:09

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... ml#REVIEWS

Still at number 7. If you've not posted a review why not take 10 minutes out to promote your town. Who knows it might benefit our traders and community in the longer term.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re:

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

Re: Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?