Halton Borough Council is launching a campaign  as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Welcome Back funding to encourage visitors and the residents of Halton to get back out in the region safely to discover their Halton Highlight.

The theme of the campaign is to promote Halton's rich and diverse offering with its many open spaces and attractions on its doorstep  - such as Norton Priory, Catalyst Museum, Victoria Park, Wigg Island, Spike Island and the beautiful village of Hale with the Childe of Hale statue and the whitewashed cottages, there are so many hidden gems for visitors to discover and find their own Halton Highlights.  

Here are five Halton Highlights for the residents to discover.

Hair-raising experiences at Catalyst Science and Discovery Centre and Museum located in Widnes. It is a fantastic family attraction with interactive galleries and exhibits which are engaging and fun for all. Try the Van Der Graaff generator for a  hair-raising time. www.catalyst.org.uk

Mind-Blowing hidden gems at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens located in Runcorn. This was once home to a medieval church and is the most excavated monastic site in Europe. Explore the  12th century undercroft with its vaulated ceiling and beautiful woodland walks where you can discover secret summer houses and sculptures as well as many objects on display including an impressive twice life-size St Christopher.   www.nortonpriory.org/

Spine-tingling performances at the award-winning theatre The Brindley located in Runcorn.  With a variety of live shows and performances, there is something for everyone whether it is family, comedy, dance, music. You can enjoy those goose bump moments at The Brindley. www.thebrindley.org.uk/

Thought provoking history and heritage at the picturesque historic village of Hale in Halton With its thatched cottages and the legendary 'Childe of Hale' statue.  Legend has it John Middleton was over 9ft tall and slept with his feet out of the windows in his house. www.haleparishcouncil.gov.uk/

Awe-inspiring open spaces are plentiful in Halton with over 1000 hectare of public open spaces, such as the Victoria Park in Widnes, Pickering's Pasture Widnes, Runcorn Hill Park and Phoenix Park. There is also the Green Flag award winning Spike Island and Wigg Island Nature Reserve in Runcorn. There is so many places to discover and explore. www.halton.gov.uk/visit

For more inspiration visit halton.gov.uk/visit and find more highlights ready to be discovered.

The objective of the campaign is to encourage visitors to the region, as well as getting Halton residents to share their own Halton Highlights, using the #Halton Highlights. We are working with local businesses in the region who are supporting the campaign and will share the campaign on their marketing channels.

Councillor Paul Nolan, Executive Board Member for Culture said 'After such a difficult couple of years with the pandemic, we want to bring together the young people, residents and local businesses to look forward with a positive outlook for 2022. We want everyone in our community to rediscover the many hidden gems that Halton has to offer. Halton is a rich and diverse area with its traditional markets and high streets as well as the many open spaces and cultural highlights such as Norton Priory, The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and The Brindley. It is so important to keep our high streets and attractions alive and celebrate Halton.

Like the rest of England, Halton's leisure and tourism industry has been impacted by the pandemic and Halton Borough Council is helping to support small businesses in the region to grow and see visitor numbers start to return, as well as inspiring residents to get back out and rediscover their region and enjoy the open spaces and offering on their doorstep safely.

The campaign consists of social media, Advan, taxi window vinyl's and Reach PLC   By working with local taxi companies they will become ambassadors and be able to take customers to a Halton Highlight and will be given information detailing the many  highlights within the borough. 

Halton Borough Council are also calling all film makers in Halton to enter their short film competition and show their Halton Highlight. The three films with the most likes and engagement on social media will win an annual pass to Cineworld in Runcorn.  All film entries must be shared on Halton Borough Council's social media channels using #haltonhighlights and #competition. The films are to be no longer than 60 seconds and can be inspired by social media videos. The competition closing date is 18th March 2022.

NOTES TO EDITOR

Halton Borough Council has been awarded funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Welcome Back Fund (WBF), to continue to support the safe reopening of Halton's high streets and visitor economies, following lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

The aim of the campaign is to reassure and encourage residents to return to Halton's high street and 'Shop Local', as well as encouraging visitors back to our varied local attractions. 

Halton Borough Council's social handles are:

Facebook @HaltonHighStreets

Instagram @HaltonHighStreets

Twitter @HaltonHighSts