The epic story of a humble milk float fighting back and now with hidden extras!!
2020 has been a bit of a challenging year for us all and here at Discover Buxton Tours, the lockdown and distancing restrictions have obviously had an impact on our tours and experiences. Our planned start to the season in late March never took place and the tram drivers’ bowler hats were stood down for all of spring and summer.
However, thanks to an ERDF funding grant via Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, we have been able to make necessary amendments and updates to our business meaning we could resume our touring activities in early-September.
We simply would not have been able to operate the tram part of the business without getting the grant and we’ve used the money towards funding various modifications to the vehicle – making it safe for visitors to use as well as augmenting the visitor experience. Also, with building closures and restricted access, we’ve had to rethink how to tell the story of some of the iconic buildings of the town for both the tram tour and walking tours.
We’ve improved our on-board computer system inside the tram to enable us to showcase the inside of buildings that can’t currently be seen in the traditional sense and we have been helped hugely by the expertise of local company Peak Electronic Design Ltd. Jeremy is fantastic and he invented something especially for us. He made sure the entire system was easy to control by the driver whilst being absorbing and relevant for the passengers as the tour progresses. A cab-mounted camera enables a view of the driver to be seen by the passengers as a live overlay on the main presentation screen. The Perspex screen though between the driver and the customers meant that we also had to have an intercom so everybody can hear clearly!
The grant money has also been used to redesign and adapt our website to take online bookings and to host downloadable experiences and tours.
We‘ve even produced a new tour, a self-guided treasure hunt for all the family and are currently developing self-drive audio tours around the area.
The treasure hunt trail “The Magical Realm of Arnemetia”, can be downloaded from our website and sees you search the town for pieces of a code which will give you access to the magical realm of the goddess. Devised by a member of the Discover Buxton team and featuring bespoke artwork by local artist, Andrea Joseph, the digital trail enables households and ‘bubbles’ to explore the town without the need for one of our tour guides. Contactless in every way!
Finally, we are pleased to announce that our tours will continue to feature a visit to the Devonshire Dome, which, as a University campus, is currently closed to members of the public. This is partly due to the track and trace system and the need to know who is entering the building. Discover Buxton Tours has been given exclusive permission by the University of Derby to bring visitors into the building. Always a highlight of the tour, it is wonderful that we can continue to show off this impressive building.
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