Shropshire Council, Visit Shropshire and Ellesmere Town Council have welcomed new business The Paddle Bros to Mere Cottage, Ellesmere, during VisitEngland’s English Tourism Week.
The Paddle Bros will be opening their new centre at Mere Cottage on the shore of the Mere over Easter, underscoring the continued importance of tourism to Shropshire’s economy.
Each year, more than 10 million people visit the county, with tourism contributing roughly £910 million annually. The sector creates jobs for over 9000 individuals both directly and indirectly, making it one of the area's largest employers. Tourism also fuels local economic growth, benefiting town centres, rural areas, and supply chains in food, retail, transport, accommodation, along with support services and trades.
The Paddle Bros will be operating from Mere Cottage which is owned by Shropshire Council, and which sits on the shores of the Mere, providing a prime location for water sports including guided paddles, lessons and equipment hire for stand-up paddle boarders, canoeists and kayakers. 
Councillor Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for Economic Growth and Transport, said: “The visitor economy is vital to Shropshire, supporting jobs, businesses, and communities. Improvements for visitors also benefit residents by creating jobs and enhancing local life. Companies such as The Paddle Bros contribute to tourism growth, encourage visitors to extend their stay, and provide facilities and jobs for the local community.
"Shropshire Council has been working with visitor economy stakeholders and is finalising a new Destination Management Plan (DMP) that will be reviewed by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet in April."
Councillor Liz Woodbridge, Mayor of Ellesmere, said: “Ellesmere’s visitor economy is incredibly important to our town. While the Mere is a major draw, our ambition is for people to stay longer and explore everything Ellesmere has to offer."
Chris and Tim Harris from The Paddle Bros said: “We’re thrilled to be moving to The Mere and look forward to welcoming visitors to Ellesmere. Our aim is to help boost the local economy by providing new water based experiences and encouraging people to explore the town and its surroundings. We are also committed to protecting the Mere’s ecology and ensuring that our operation supports and safeguards local wildlife."
