Britain on Foot aims to get more of the public into the outdoors

Bosses from the UK’s outdoor industry are gearing up for the launch of a major campaign to persuade more people to get active in Britain’s countryside.

The Britain on Foot scheme was one of the main talking points at the Outdoor Industries Association’s annual gathering in the Yorkshire Dales.

The association represents most of the big players in the outdoors, including retailers, top gear brands and activity providers, as well as organisations such as the British Mountaineering Council.

The OIA’s chief executive Andrew Denton announced Britain on Foot would go public in May, to coincide with the Ramblers’ Get Walking Week.

Mr Denton, speaking to 150 members and visitors to the event at HF Holidays’ Newfield Hall in Malhamdale, said he wanted Britain on Foot’s message to be as ubiquitous as campaigns such as Keep Britain Tidy.

And, while he admitted any extra outdoor participants would inevitably benefit companies in the sector, the health and wellbeing of Britons would also improve if Britain on Foot was successful.

He said the recession has hit outdoor brands and retailers, but a recent report said the industry was bouncing back, with a two per cent increase in sales.

MP David Rutley and top British mountaineer Alan Hinkes were among visitors to the meeting, and US brand Black Diamond’s founder and chief executive Peter Metcalf also addressed the gathering.

Andrew Denton said the OIA had put itself on a firmer footing, and now had 191 companies and organisations in its membership.

Previous losses were being turned around and the organisation would make a surplus this year.

Stephen Newlands of the AMG Group was elected chair of the OIA, with new board members Hans Falkenburg of Cotswold Outdoor; Richard Leedham of Berghaus and Hamish Dunn.

Writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish stepped down from the board, along with Chris Tiso, Matt Kemp of Berghaus and Michelle Dickinson of Burton McCall.