The Clitheroe imes Thursday, November 9th, 2006 No. 6,276 news and views from the Centre of the Kingdom www.clitheroetoday.co.uk Price 60p


Castle bonfire


special PAGES


Axe poised over TIC, staff hear via newspaper


________ by Faiza Afzaal


ANGER has e ru p ted a t co n tro ­ versial p la n s to axe C l i th e ro e ’s award-winning Tourist In fo rm a­ tion Centre. Staff at the jointly-run centre were


particularly upset because the first they knew of the proposal came not from their bosses at County Hall, but in a newspaper report. Despite welcoming' more th a n


115,000 visitors through its doors so far this year, a proposal to close the facility in April next year is being explored by county council officials in a bid to make financial savings of thousands of pounds a year. The Clitheroe office, in Market


Place, is one of three centres which could face the chop - the other two being in Chorley and L y th am . Instead, Lancashire County Council is seeking to use the towns’ libraries to provide visitors with local knowledge. I t is believed th a t th e cu ts are


required to ensure the county council balances its budget and keeps an y increase in council tax to a minimum. However, the plans have embar­ rassed and outraged tourism bosses at


Ribble 'Valley Borough Council and staff at the TIC. Ribble 'Valley MP Nigel Evans


described the move as “another smack in the face for rural people”. He added: “I t ’s madness - to ta l


madness. This just demonstrates that a local authority cares very little for the rural areas th a t have already been persecuted with post office closures, rural buses disappearing and young­ sters having to face higher charges for school buses.” Similar views were expressed by Mr


Terry Joy, pres id en t of Clitheroe Chamber of Trade, who fears that the move will hit the town’s vital tourism industry. He commented: “Most towns have


a TIC in visible and high street loca­ tions. 'We are losing a valuable asset in the town. Clitheroe is a tourist market town and needs a dedicated TIC in an ideal location. I t will be a sad loss to the Ribble Valley if the service is closed or moved to a less visible site.” Services provided by Clitheroe TIC,


which twice earned the prestigious Charter Mark s ta tu s (the Govern­ ment's award scheme for recognising and encouraging excellence in public service) and was highly commended


in the TIC of the year regional award category in 2004, include providing assistance and information, theatre and concert tickets, holiday informa­ tion, free “events” information, a wide range of souvenirs, maps and guides as well as bus and train timetables and the book-a-bed-ahead service. The building is leased, but the rent is paid by the county council and Rib­


Info* OUR pic­


ture shows Clitheroe TIC staff


David Johns and Lesley


I#


Edmondson outside the award-win­ ning centre, now threat­ ened with closure


(A061106/6)


Some facts and figures


• The estimated number of


tourists visiting the Ribble Valley last year was 2.2m. with an esti­ mated tourism spend of a whop­ ping £95m. • By moving the three county


information centres from their current leased premises to the towns’ libraries, estimated savings are £128,000 in 2007/8 and £190,000 in 2008/9 on rent. • Clitheroe TIC moved into its


ble Valley Borough Council. Current­ ly, there are two full-time, two part- time and four casual members of staff employed at the TIC, with a Welfare Rights Service twice a week. Mr David Johns (55), who has


worked (or the county authority for 25 years and been manager a t Clitheroe


• continued on page 21


current premises in 1990 and two years ago was treated to a £26,000 facelift thanks to funds from Rib­ ble Valley Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. The revamp included new shelving, carpets and a new low-level count­ er for disabled visitors. • The net cost of running the


Platform Gallery, once considered as a location for the Clitheroe TIC, is budgeted a t £66,000 per year. I t attracted about 28,000 visitors last year.


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