Fri 10th October 2008

VisitScotland Grading Assessment - Craft Town Scotland Acheives 3 Star Award

Congratulations all round on the outcome of Craft Town Scotland's first VisitScotland quality assurance assessment since becoming acredited as a Visitor Attraction at the end of 2005.

The grading was based the findings of an unannounced visit by an experienced Quality Assurance Assessor who looked at the three elements of Craft Town Scotland - The Gallery, Initaitive Centre and Craft Studios. The Assessor commented on the difficulty in making any comparison between similar Visitor Attractions - purely from the point of view that Craft Town Scotland is unique!

"West Kilbride continues to develop in its role of Craft Town Scotland, and it was very interesting to talk and to hear about proposed developments for the future, in particular the conversion of the old Barony Church. This should assist in providing a single central focal point, and by including gallery space in itself will ensure that visitors will always find something to see.

As things are currently, a very good 3 star award is appropriate, but there is definitely potential to increase the scoring.

A very good range of crafts is represented, and I was welcomed within the studios. There certainly seems to be great potential for seeing the craftspeople actually at work on the premises.

A very friendly welcome was received at the Initiative Centre, and also at "The Gallery, the latter being currently the leading premises here and worthy of a city location. However, it is the breadth of appeal and the different values represented by a range of additional smaller galleries that is a potential strength."

An overall scoring of 77% was achieved, with many elements scoring above this.

Pre-Arrival

Brochure Content/Accuracy 90%

Arrival

Welcome/Attitude/Efficiency of staff 90%

Interior Layout 80%

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