IN the ever increasing struggle to attract more tourists and shoppers, the general public have been invited to attend a meeting and take part in an exciting new initiative - the development of a brand for Brecon.

The idea is not a new one as hundreds of towns all over the world have taken part in similar marketing exercises, some successful and some not so successful.

Leeds City Council undertook a relaunch of its city in 2005 costing £150,000 with the slogan "Leeds. Live it. Love it" only to find that Hong Kong had been using "Hong Kong, Live it, Love it"since 2003.

It's refreshing then that Brecon Beacons National Park, the organisation behind the meeting, is asking the public and not spending millions on hiring brand consultants to choose the few special words they hope will attract new visitors.

Nick Stewart, Sustainable Tourism Officer (Collabor8 Project) and the name behind the "Love Llandovery" slogan tells The Brecon & Radnor Express: "The development of a brand for Brecon needs the input of local businesses and residents simply because if it is to convince anyone outside the area it has to be believed by the people living in it. It takes local people to breathe life into a community's brand and to take responsibility for living up to its promise."

The branding Brecon workshop takes place at Brecon Castle Hotel on Monday, May 23 at 9.45am.

Read the full story in this week's Brecon & Radnor Express - Out now!