The first phase of the Wellington Visitor Portal was revealed by its designers and market town chiefs this week.

Andy Smith, from Runtime on Vineyard Road in Wellington, has created the website for visitors from across the UK to find out about the “hidden treasures” in the town and also for businesses to promote their services.

The portal was created after Wellington Town Council and Wellington Market Company teamed up and commissioned local tourism expert Katie Foster to study the profile of the town’s visitors and give advice on how to attract more people.

Mr Smith, owner of Runtime, said: “The outcome of a Visioning Day we held was that Wellington needed its own individual brand – we are a unique town with so much to offer so the brand needed to reflect that.

“The new website means visitors can find out about everything the town and surrounding area has to offer before travelling – in time we hope Wellington will gain the recognition it deserves as a tourist destination because it really does have so much to offer.”

Mr Smith said on-line promotion was essential for businesses but also towns like Wellington and is now urging town businesses to join the portal.

“Business owners like myself and organisations in Wellington need to work together as we all have one interest and that is to promote Wellington for all the good and beauty it has to offer,” Mr Smith added.

“This is just phase one of an evolving project which is proving to be very exciting.

“On our doorstep we have the Wrekin which attracts thousands of visitors a year and we should embrace that – those visitors should be using our local shops, pubs and cafes and enjoying everything else the town has to offer.”

He said it was free to apply by downloading an application from the website and would give businesses the chance to describe what they did and also provide a link to their own websites.

Mr Smith said a Visitor Economy Group had been set up to manage the website and discuss marketing strategies for the town.

Chris Fry, Wellington’s Town Manager, is working with the group and the town council on the project.

The website includes shops, accommodation, activities, places to visit and food and drink and can be viewed at www.wellington-shropshire.co.uk.