Town seeks ambassadors to 'reshape' its image

A campaign has started to find ambassadors to help "reshape" the image of a Nottinghamshire town.

The Destination Mansfield Brand initiative was launched at the town's Palace Theatre on Tuesday.

Bosses said the aim of the project was to recruit businesses, community organisations and residents to promote the town and surrounding district in new ways.

New branding for the town has also been unveiled along with a new website.

Mansfield District Council hosted the launch which is part of a wider two-year £715,000 project funded jointly by the authority and from a £12.3m Towns Fund grant from the government.

Destination Mansfield spokesperson Michael Fisher, who is one of the new ambassadors, said they would "raise the profile of the area to help put it on the map, change perceptions, and drive investment".

Mr Fisher added: "This journey is a long journey, and like anything that develops it needs to be nurtured well and more importantly loved by people in and around the area."

The council said the campaign to rebrand the town, known for its industrial heritage and its closeness to Sherwood Forest, would be backed by a number of events to attract people to the town.

They include the unveiling of a 6m (19.7ft) artwork globe, called Gaia, which can be visited without charge at the Palace Theatre until Sunday 27 April.

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