BY the time this letter is printed, Malton and Norton’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) will have been killed off, assassinated by Ryedale District Council to satisfy its annual appetite to save of a few pounds.

The TIC has for as many years as I can remember, been an integral part of Malton’s shopping experience. A first port of call for most tourists and newcomers to the Ryedale area, as well as a centre for locals wishing to know “What’s happing, where and when”.

So who is responsible? Clearly most of the blood is on the hands of those in charge at the council, for providing the ammunition and supplying the gun. But the executioners, who signed the death warrant were the members of the council, the people you in Ryedale voted to serve our needs.

One of the reasons stated for bringing on the TIC’s death was a drastic drop in football. For many years, their office had been in the Market Place. An ideal location. The Fitzwilliam Estate, the ambassadors of all that is good about Malton, so they would want you to believe, declined two years ago to continue the arrangement whereby the TIC could stay in the town hall.

How much revenue they’ve got from an empty building in the past couple of years, I’m not too sure. So they supplied the first nails for the coffin. Since moving to the library repeated requests were made to the town council, district council and highways authority for the local TIC signs to be redirected/altered.

Was anything done by any of these departments? No, by their lack of interest they also provided the nails to secure the lid and bury the TIC. No one, as far as I am aware, has stood up and objected to this cut.

All of the local councillors and the authorities will tell you that they want to promote Malton, Norton and Ryedale as a place to visit, well I say to you all now, you better get your soap box out and do it yourself because Malton TIC is closed.

PS: Nearly forgot – How long do you think it will be before Pickering TIC closes. I give it two years.

Patrick Swindell, Norton