PETERSFIELD'S future as a tourist destination will be moulded by a group which prides itself in providing visitors with "authentic experiences, created locally".

A presentation by the organisation Hidden Britain, which is in partnership with Enjoy England (the National Tourist Board for England), formed the highlight of the annual meeting of the partnership group Petersfield Tomorrow.

Petersfield Tomorrow was formed in 2006 to encourage its townsfolk to help in shaping the future of the town and the local environment as well as initiating improvements in transport and employment and other issues.

James Turner, the development manager from Hidden Britain South East, who has spent some time reviewing Petersfield, featured a wide range of strengths and weaknesses of the town in his talk.

Hidden Britain looked at a number of things, including the 2007 Petersfield Business Needs Survey, 2006 visitor figures compiled by East Hampshire District Council, the Petersfield Tomorrow Action Plan, and other data.

Its findings were that Petersfield is an historic and attractive market town with specialist shopping, good food, events throughout the year, was well located, and had a welcoming feel about it.

On the down side, it found gaps in the town's existing visitor experience, lack of identity and its narrow appeal.

Mr Turner cited a number of issues which could improve the town's image, bringing in more visitors who spent more and stayed for longer.

"The next step is to discuss these issues with those who know the place best with a need to consider the wider views and needs of Petersfield residents and businesses, along with sustainability and long-term management of any initiatives.

"Once we have a consensus we can move forward and develop an action plan," said Mr Turner.

"Mr Turner's presentation was very well received. He has lots of good ideas for the town and certainly inspired the meeting," said its chairman, town and East Hampshire district councillor Bob Ayer.

"We feel that Petersfield Tomorrow would make a greater impact by focusing on a smaller number of projects helped by external funding," he told The Herald.

"We also agreed to establish a stronger connection with East Hampshire Community Partnership and voluntary organisations."

Key projects for the coming year, said Mr Ayer, included continued work on the town's design statement which is hoped to be adopted by EHDC planning authority as a supplementary planning document which will influence how Petersfield is developed in the future.

"Protecting the countryside and local heritage include improvements to the environment," continued Mr Ayer.

Among them he would like to see a makeover of the environs of the railway station; improvements to Lavant Street appearance and its links to other parts of the town and the land in the vicinity of the Red Lion pub.

Referring to the area around the Red Lion, Mr Ayer said: "That site as a whole seriously deserves attention and is on a wishlist of what people would like to see."

"Hidden Britain," said Mr Ayer, "has the power to explore external funding and bring in funding. It is a vision for Petersfield but it won't happen overnight. We just need to start and grow."

For more details, contact Mr Ayer on [email protected]">[email protected] or call 01730 265135.