Membership boost for 1066 Country marketing

A special partnership that promotes the 1066 Country has been handed a massive membership boost.

Hastings Borough Council has agreed to rejoin 1066 Country Marketing and work with partners on domestic and international marketing campaigns. The news that the borough council is set to link up again with the partnership came following a recent 1066 marketing board meeting.

Cllr Julia Hilton, deputy leader of Hastings Borough Council and lead councillor for shaping place, regeneration and community wealth building, said: “Re-joining the 1066 Country Marketing partnership was a key priority for us once council finances allowed, we have been discussing this for several months with colleagues. We have an exciting opportunity over the coming months to engage with international visitors as we celebrate the Year of the Normans and the anniversary of William the Conqueror’s birth. With the Bayeux Tapestry in England and several events planned across 1066 country, including in Hastings, this was the right time for us to re-join and for us to work together again. Combined with our recently launched Visit Hastings website, we feel we are in a really strong place to get maximum value from our tourism offer.”

Sarah Broadbent, Chair of 1066 Country added:  “We welcome Hastings Borough Council back into the Partnership at this pivotal moment for our visitor economy. Tourism in 1066 Country is worth around £901 million and supports roughly one in five local jobs, making it a vital economic driver for communities across Hastings, Rother and Wealden. In that context, having Hastings back at the table is not just welcome – it is essential.

As the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition and the European Year of the Normans place our shared story in the national and international spotlight, we need a single, confident regional voice. The partnership exists to provide exactly that: coordinating multi‑platform national campaigns, opening up international markets, running digital and social media activity, generating press and influencer coverage and supporting businesses.

Hastings’ decision to rejoin strengthens this collective effort at the very moment when it matters most. Working together under the established and recognisable 1066 Country banner gives us the best chance of optimising these once‑in‑a‑generation moments.”