City's drive to become capital of culture (From The Northern Echo)

City's drive to become capital of culture

6:44pm Thursday 16th February 2012 in Ripon News

A COUNCIL has launched its search for a manager to oversee Ripon becoming North Yorkshire’s capital of culture and a recognised hub of enterprise.

Ripon City Council has ringfenced £180,000 over three years for a city development manager to market the visitor economy and commercial ventures and to develop the city’s existing unique selling points.

The authority is advertising for a manager, who will have a background in tourism, business and councils, and is offering a £40,000 salary.

The manager will be the most senior appointment in the public sector in Ripon and will work with a number of non- local government organisations and councils.

Coun Mick Stanley, Mayor of Ripon, said: “With the development manager we will have a better chance of riding out this period of austerity and bucking the trend.

“We are clearly in competition with Thirsk, Northallerton and Harrogate, and while people do tend to come here for the cultural activities, we would like to attract more forms of cultural activities and for people also to come here for the 150 or so independent shops.”