East Riding MP, Sir Greg Knight, enjoyed a coffee break with a difference on a recent visit to RSPB Bempton Cliffs.
For the second year running, the nature reserve is working with local coffee-makers to promote the cliff-top destination to a wider audience through ‘Capuffinccinos’ – coffees with a puffin shape, sprinkled in chocolate on top.
Sir Greg was able to sample one as part of a guided tour of the nature reserve, during which he experienced the seabird spectacle and learnt how over £600,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding will improve the visitor experience.
Part of the HLF funding will go towards employing additional staff. Tourism already supports around 9000 jobs in the region and has an estimated annual value of £350 million. Joint initiatives, like Capuffinccinos, aim to strengthen the tourism offer and generate further interest in the area.
Marketing Officer, Maria Prchlik, also recognises the importance of the support of local businesses in delivering the RSPB’s conservation message.
She said: “Over 30 cafes, bars and restaurants have joined forces to help spread the word about the puffins at Bempton Cliffs in this way. By putting a puffin in front of their coffee-drinking customers, they start a conversation which hopefully leads all the way to the cliff tops. And while the eateries help promote us, we can also point visitors wanting a drink or a bite to eat in Bridlington and the surrounding area in their direction. Working together is definitely the way forward.”
Sir Greg samples a Capuffinccino on the cliffs. Original stencil: Richard Burton.