In My View – Danielle Dunfield

| June 2022

Amazing People, Amazing Places

Sparkling seas, sparkling wine and sparkling night skies embrace us here in the Chichester District. It’s no coincidence that the best of the British have flocked here for centuries.

It’s also no coincidence that Chichester has more than its fair share of entrepreneurs. Many sparks of creativity and ingenuity have been flamed into flagship businesses over the years and continue to do so.

Did you know that Chichester Festival Theatre was the brainchild of a local optician, Leslie Evershed-Martin? The Dean of Chichester, Walter Hussey, donated his art collection to start Pallant House Gallery? Edward James at West Dean House was an early supporter of Surrealism and sponsored Salvador Dali?

Culture Spark is a celebration of significant anniversaries this year for these and other leading visitor attractions in Chichester. It is a programme of events across the district showcasing our world-class cultural offering, all set in our stunning countryside.

Tourism makes up 19% of the whole economy for Chichester District. At such a fragile time, it has never been more important for businesses to work together to form partnerships and collaborations, to consolidate their offering and make it richer and more accessible to visitors.

We all have a part to play in supporting our area. I would like to challenge you to exercise your power as a consumer to promote local. Ensuring our individual choices support our home-grown businesses – whether that be choosing local wine, using local shops or dining in local establishments – is both a pleasure and an economic crank-handle in one marvellous feat, and a responsibility which lies with each and every one of us.

For more details on Culture Spark please visit:
https://www.thegreatsussexway.org/culture-spark-2022/

By Danielle Dunfield Chichester BID Board Member and CEO of The Great Sussex Way