TALKS were due to be held last night (Tuesday) over the ‘possibility’ of Malvern Town Council taking over the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) following concerns for its future.
According to a report, town councillors have expressed fears for the unsuitability of relocating the Church Street-based service, which has been there since 1996, into the new £950,000 community centre on Avenue Road later this year.
Councillors from Malvern Hills District Council, which owns the TIC, unanimously approved the move at a meeting in September last year but it appears town councillors are now worried about what this means for the town.
It was also agreed the current TIC building would be put up for rent or sale.
A report before last night’s policy and resources committee meeting states: “This subject (the TIC) should be referred to the next meeting of policy and resources committee who should investigate the possibility of taking over the building and running the TIC for the benefit of Malvern.”
A letter from the town council has been sent to the district council addressing these concerns.
The town council’s plans might be short-lived though, after the district council said it was still their intention to move the service to the new building.
Coun Phil Grove, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Moving the TIC into a new build community building on the Avenue Road site was unanimously supported by councillors last September.
“This remains our preferred option subject to receiving the necessary planning permissions and approval from Historic England.
“Not only will it help save the council £100,000 a year in running costs – crucial when we have a £1.8million budget gap to close – but it will also secure its long-term future, as well as bringing it closer to Great Malvern Railway Station and Priory Road Car Parks which are well used by visitors.
“The visitthemalverns website is also being revamped to offer a greater range of information and services to tourists from the convenience of their smartphone or other device.”
When asked if the district council was open to potential discussions, a spokesman added: “We meet regularly with the town council and are always happy to listen to their views, however we must stress that this was a decision that was unanimously supported by councillors.”
