A DECISION to close Ryedale’s remaining tourist information centre (TIC) has been described as “disappointing and short-sighted” by a tourism leader.

The centre, which is based in Pickering, will shut from September and will be replaced by information services at the town’s library and possibly a visitor information point (VIP) at a local business.

In a report to Ryedale District Council, Clare Slater, head of corporate services, said Pickering TIC continued to experience a reduction in the numbers of accommodation bookings, inquiries and footfall.

She said: “It is no longer considered to be the most effective means of meeting the needs of visitors or business partners. Supporting the operation of the TIC is therefore no longer considered to be a priority for the use of council resources.”

Mrs Slater said it was anticipated that other organisations providing information services, such as Pickering library, may benefit from the provision of some of the services currently provided by the TIC.

The closure of the TIC would enable the council to offer the premises in Ropery House for rental or possibly sell the site, while running-cost savings would be about £15,000.

 

Gazette & Herald: Coun William Oxley: not in favour

Councillor William Oxley, a Pickering town councillor and chairman of the Rural Tourism Advisory Board, said: “I am disappointed and close to horrified that Ryedale will be without a tourist information centre, given the importance the hospitality sector has to the local economy. It seems very short-sighted.

“As chairman of the Rural Tourism Advisory Board, I am especially annoyed that the topic was not raised with the board. I feel the situation was engineered so it could not be on the agenda for our meeting on the evening before Ryedale District Council discussed it.

“I am appalled that the TIC has had money spent on improvements in the last few months. If this decision was coming then those funds good have been saved.”

Tourist information centres in Malton and Helmsley closed last April in a bid to save the district council an estimated £54,000 a year, while Pickering, which remained the only centre with face-to-face contact for visitor, was refurbished.

Helmsley now has a VIP in the Cut-Price Bookstore in Market Place, which was said was working successfully , however following discussions with a number of retailers in Malton, the town’s VIP was now located in Ryedale House and the take up of information by visitors was low.

Ryedale Special Families Funding Coordinator Rob Davies, said he felt ticket sales for events in aid of the charity had been affected by the closure of Malton TIC.

“Is it a coincidence that since the TIC closed the last three fundraising events we have held have not made any money,” he added.

“As well as selling tickets for events the TIC was also invaluable at promoting forthcoming ones. It is unbelievable that the council is now closing Pickering as well which is a real honey pot of a tourist centre.”

Ryedale District Council declined to comment.