A leading tourism and leisure business that has operated in Norfolk and Suffolk’s iconic Broads National Park for nearly 80 years, has been named as the launch partner and lead sponsor of the area’s distinctive new network of Discovery Hubs, currently being built in popular locations across the area.

Richardson’s Leisure, led by chief executive Greg Munford, is providing significant funding in a three-year sponsorship deal which will support the completion of the network of Hubs and fund the position of a ranger. The ranger will work across the sites of the existing three Discovery Hubs, all of which will be open in early summer, and will follow through as more Hubs are constructed.

The dedicated ranger, contracted by the Trust, will engage with visitors, residents and young people with new and exciting ways to explore and learn about the National Park, using the Hubs as bases for exploration.

The ambition of the project is to provide multiple linked Discovery Hubs, interpretation points and wayfinding across the Broads in the next three years. The first three Hubs will be open on Great Yarmouth Seafront, at Salhouse Broads and on Beccles quay by early July.

Greg Munford, chief executive of Richardson’s Leisure Limited said “The Richardson's Boating Holidays story began in 1944 when Mr Robert Richardson Jnr purchased his first motor cruiser and started offering boating holidays on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.

“Today, operating from Stalham Marina, Richardson’s now has the largest holiday charter fleet in the Broads National Park, and we are extremely proud to be the launch partner and main sponsor of the new network of Discovery Hubs, which enables visitors to discover the natural beauty and hidden corners of this unique and beautiful area.

“We believe strongly in encouraging local people and visitors to enjoy the outdoors on foot, by bike or on the water and we look forward to supporting the Broads Trust with this ambitious and innovative project.

“This sponsorship is part of our continued commitment to invest in community initiatives in areas where we operate, and which are for the benefit of all stakeholders, businesses and visitors alike,” said Greg.

Peter Howe, a trustee of The Broads Charitable Trust said, “We are delighted that a business synonymous with The Broads is to be our launch partner in such an important project.

“Richardson’s has been supporting leisure activities within the area for eight decades and we are honoured that Greg and his team are so excited about this project, which has the aim of improving access to all the hidden gems within The Broads and providing information and inspiration about how to access and travel through the National Park by boat, by bike and on foot.

Find out more about Richardson’s Leisure Limited.