The Purefun.info system is sold as SAS (or Software as a Service), a rapidly growing force in the software applications market. Google, for example are very active in this market with their Microsoft Office ‘look-alikes’. Previously, enterprises would have to buy a complete package to run on their own servers and network architecture. Purefun.info aka www.whatever.co.uk is leased to the enterprise on a low cost monthly basis.

Because the system is an Internet based product, there are no integration issues with existing council or enterprise computer networks

The information on events and venues contained within the system are constructed into one database which is accessible to a global audience, under many different names and formats. Purefun can also be syndicated as a white label product into other media enterprises such as television, radio and newspaper groups.

The system uses the very latest cutting-edge Web 2.0 technology that Facebook, Myspace and Bebo use, including allowing communities to upload their own videos, blogs and forum notes

Purefun is the first portal of its type that automatically returns the client’s search criteria into a diary system. Once the client has designated his/hers choices of events, pastimes and sport, for example dog shows and live rock music, any events that match that criteria automatically get fed through to their diary

The local population plus tourists from within and outside the UK have long been dissatisfied with the current Internet offer on venues and events. The granularity is just not there at all. Each community faction, whether the British Sub Aqua Club, Crufts or all have their own website, none of which talk to each other. There is no category killer portal in this media sector.

Similar to our experiences with the students, we found overwhelming enthusiasm for this Internet proposition from local businesses. Some of the key positive factors that the industry players said were extremely appealing include:
· Wide audience marketing reach
· Total age-spectrum involvement
· Potential for free website
· Extremely low cost relative to value gained
· Ability to update their own web pages

A rigorous and robust economic impact assessment has indicated that for a town the size of Blackburn with a population of around 125,000 people, implementing a Purefun.info system will increase the borough’s wealth by around £6.3 million pounds. And applying a Gross Value Added (GVA) figure of £26k per employee means that approximately 240 FTE jobs can be created.

To put some sort of context on this figure, it is interesting to look at the Bigg Market / Quayside zone of Newcastle. With up to 100,000 visitors on any one Friday night, direct spending is reckoned to be in the order of £3m per evening or around £10m per week. Applying a multiplier to this figure (less 40% supplier costs), we have a positive total economic impact of some £510m per annum on the Newcastle economy.

Patently, Bolton is never going to rival Newcastle or Dublin in the foreseeable future, but it can improve significantly from the current position. Part of that improvement can come from cutting edge communication skills of which Purefun.info software can provide. In turn, increased visitor numbers from local and adjoining boroughs, will generate the necessary finance for clubs, pubs, restaurants and the like to better their facilities and consumer propositions.

Not many years ago, Britain was the laughing stock of the culinary world. Now, in the guise of the Fat Duck, Bray, we have the world’s best restaurant and more top rated establishments than France and Italy combined.

Fig 1: An ecomonic impact assessment on the implementation of the PureFun software


A local authority or district council can make money from the software if they so desire. Pubs, for example who want an ‘all singing, all dancing site’ can have one for around £50 per month. This revenue could be collected by the council

There are no hidden overheads or resource requirements. It is probable that the existing tourism office will not need any extra staff or Purepages can run the system on behalf of the council

The GUIs or graphical User Interfaces have been deliberately designed similar to those of Google. Internet research has indicated consumers prefer uncluttered, visually appealing sites. Navigating Purefun.infi is truly easy.

Purefun,info is specifically designed to integrate with absolutely every tourist / visitor focused service. For example, trains, taxis, buses, hotels, restaurants, weather forecasts. In other words, when you leave your front door or hotel room, all the information is available at your finger tips

Purefun.info and all its white-label derivatives are hosted in a purpose built, high specification, totally secure data centre in the centre of Manchester

The UK Government and Association of London Councils (www.londoncouncils.gov.uk) in particular, see this type of project with massive granularity as fundamental to the regeneration of localities. Notes from a London Councils Seminar on Regeneration through Culture and Tourism stated, inter alia:

‘Shared concerns to be addressed’, include
Arts & culture projects still regarded as “add ons”
Lack of evaluative information
How can we unleash the growing… economic potential of culture…
How can we link….

‘Key recommendations’, include, inter alia,
Ensure large scale iconic projects are driven by the needs of local communities
Identify, develop and implement measurable impact indicators
Strengthen integrated partnerships

We at Purepages Group believe our two integrated tourism solutions cover all these points and more besides. Developed with the guidance of Visit Britain (BTA as was), local councils and tourism experts from several sources, our products offer both local residents and global tourists alike, the massive granularity and desired benefits so keenly sought.

Research highlights that information on culture, sports and tourism exists in the minds of residents and tourists in two dimensions only - local/ community level or national level. Similarly, consumers only show interest in either venues or events, so bureaucratic or administrative boundaries such as counties or regions have absolutely no visibility or relevance.