(23 Jun 2016, 4:42 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Aside from Howlands (and quite possibly the Transporter Bridge), I don't think the sites are necessarily the problem and there is some merit to having the same annual events scheduled as regular visitors know where it is; when it's on; and how to to get there. The problem, and it's something you and others have touched upon, is the format, organisation and promotion of the events themselves. That, in my view, is the fundamental thing which must change otherwise it doesn't matter where the event is held or how publicly accessible it is, if the event doesn't appeal to the wider public or if it's not properly promoted, attendances will continue dwindle.
Whereas there is often nothing 'wrong' with some of the sites currently used, or indeed the events themselves, I see an opportunity to do something bigger and better. Sites such as South Shields and Whitley Bay are already capped from growth due to the site's small size. Although an access road has since been installed; any site which involves grass parking is vulnerable to the weather.
Where you rightly say the established events have regular visitors, I would suggest these people are those already in 'the loop' of the bus scene and would be aware of any new event. While I appreciate the excellent work of the NEBPT, their social engagement is lacking. Below is the facebook promotion of the Howlands event:
It appears the it engaged a grand total of 8 people.
It wouldn't take much to create a full event page for this, share it amongst similar pages and get the engagement up into the hundreds. If anybody from the trust is reading, please don't be offended, this is not my intention. Social media isn't always as easy to get right as I'm making out, but putting the right person in charge there will pay dividends ten times over. The businesses I man the social media for include one with 12,600 'likes' and one just set up a fortnight ago which has amassed 4,000 'likes' already - having used printed and radio advertisement in the past it's my opinion the facebook is at least twice as effective and half the cost.