THE Fitzwilliam Estate is hoping to make this year another bumper year for Malton, drawing in more out-of-town tourists.

Tom Naylor-Leyland and estate manager Roddy Bushell gave a presentation to members of the public and Malton Town Council last week, reporting on what a successful year 2014 had been for the estate and to highlight plans for this year.

Tom, speaking on behalf of Malton Community Interest Company (CIC), revealed that he was hoping to bring an artisan food tour to the town.

“I feel it is very important that we strengthen Malton’s appeal to day tourists coming from out of town. I am looking into an artisan food tour, which would go around the town,” he said.

The tour would visit existing businesses such as Brass Castle Brewery and the six food production units at Talbot Yard, opposite the Talbot Hotel.

Tom said that two businesses had already signed up to take over a unit each, one making fish cakes and another for ice cream.

However, both Tom and Roddy told councillors at the meeting last Wednesday that more needed to be done to encourage visitors to visit Malton.

Tom said: “The monthly food markets really reinforce the town’s reputation for good food and getting people coming back on a regular basis. It’s stuff like that, and events like the cycling festival and Beertown, that we need every month. We are really keen to see more events like this and support third-party events.”

Roddy said: “Malton is a serious town and it should be a place of civic ambition.”

He said Talbot Yard will be completed this year and there were plans for the Talbot Hotel to be linked with York House, in Yorkersgate, which would enable the venue to host weddings more easily and up to eight rooms.

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