Welcome walkers, boost footfall: July ideas for your business

Hello and welcome to the first edition of our business e-bulletin! 👋🏽

Packed with practical, easy-to-implement ideas, it’s designed to help you make the most of the opportunities offered by the Wales Coast Path and our National Trails.

In this issue, you’ll discover why a clear welcome matters, how offering free water refills could bring more customers through your doors, and where to download our new partner marketing materials!

New partner marketing materials!

You might think your location on or near the Wales Coast Path, Offa's Dyke Path or Glyndwr's is obvious, but with over 1,000 miles of walking routes to explore, it’s something worth really highlighting to ensure your business isn’t overlooked.

Drawing attention to your location and proximity to the path/trails can help put you onto a visitor’s consideration list. And we’ve got just the thing to help…

Our brand-new marketing materials - “We’re on the Wales Coast Path!", "We're on Offa's Dyke Path, "We're on Glyndwr's Way" logos can be downloaded for free and used across your social media, website, printed literature or signage. Why not download and see how you can use it today?

Show walkers the way – and tell them they’re welcome!

Not all organisations make walkers feel welcome, so simply showing that they are welcome at your business can have a real impact. Never assume walkers know their muddy boots can cross your threshold – make sure you tell them! 

Join Refill to get more customers flowing through your doors

Refill is a global campaign encouraging businesses to play an active role in the refill, reuse and recycle movement. If you’re willing and able to offer free drinking water refills to people passing by, why not join the scheme and become a verified Refill station? It’s free to take part and all businesses are welcome.  Whether you’re a shop, café, tourist destination or leisure venue, joining the scheme gives you a free listing on the global Refill app and a window sticker to show you’re part of this sustainable network. Check out the Refill Station ‘how to’ guide and in a few clicks you can register your business to get onto the virtual Refill map. It’s another great way to make the most of passing trade and improve the visitor experience.

Quick links for July 

Hundreds of runners will be flocking to our coastal paths this month, presenting a great opportunity for local businesses on along the path. Check out the dates and route details for three fantastic events below together with ideas for how your business could really make the most of them:

Love Trails Festival (2–6 July 2026): Held on the Gower Peninsula, this event combines trail running, live music, DJs, and outdoor adventures. You could follow the organisers on Instagram and comment/share any Love Trails posts to show your support.

Wales Ultra Trail Coastal Rush (4–5 July 2026) A 50km ultramarathon across the stunning southern coast of the Llŷn Peninsula. Whatever you do, make sure your location and welcome is clear: “Good luck to everyone taking part on Wales Ultra Coastal Rush! We’re right on the path, so why not drop by and see us for your post-race celebrations? We’d love to welcome you!”.

Dragon Coastal Ultramarathons (18–19 July 2026): Epic trail-running events ranging from 30 to 100 miles, taking runners from spots like Rhossili Bay or Dunraven Bay along the coast path to finish in Cardiff Bay.  Follow them on Instagram and let them know how close you are to the route and signpost your business as a welcoming pitstop for weary, hungry racers?

Prostate Cymru Walks of Wales 2026: On 27 June, a team of fundraisers will begin a 44-day coast-to-coast challenge via Offa’s Dyke Path to raise money for Prostate Cymru. Why not contact the event organiser to let them know whereabout you are on their journey? Whether you’re a place to stay, a shop for essential supplies or a café for much needed refreshment, show them your support with a warm message - and how about an exclusive discount for the fundraisers team if they visit you on their travels?

Sharing your stories to support growth

You may operate as an independent business, but you’re by no means alone on your mission to expand your customer base. Local business networks are invaluable, but there are also opportunities across our path and trail network for sole traders to connect, learn from one another and share success. Seeing what’s worked for businesses in other towns and villages can inspire you to look at your own marketing differently and try new things too. We’d love to share your stories in future e-bulletins, so if you’ve done something differently or found a particular asset especially effective, please get in touch wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Tell us your thoughts

Our business e-bulletins are designed with your needs in mind, and we want to ensure they’re as interesting, practical and useful as possible. If you have any thoughts or ideas for content you’d like to see in future issues, please contact our team wcp@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk