Visitors to town will not be affected by TIC move (From Malvern Gazette)

Visitors to town will not be affected by TIC move

2:20pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

THE first visitors are making their way to a new-look tourist information centre (TIC) in Upton.

Cost-cutting measures have seen Malvern Hills District Council shut Upton’s former TIC, on the corner of the high street, and move it into the town’s heritage centre, which is situated in the iconic Pepperpot building.

The new-look service has opened its doors after three months of refurbishment work, including the addition of new doors and a rooflight.

The move will save the council about £35,000 a year and free up the former TIC to be let out, and was strongly opposed by many who felt that Upton’s tourism business would be adversely affected.

However economic development chiefs have given assurances that the town’s visitor offering will not suffer.

Having handed over the keys to staff, Coun Phil Grove, responsbile for community and economic development, said he was delighted with the new-look centre and TIC.

“The combination of local knowledge from our staff and volunteers, who all have firsthand local expertise, based in such an interesting building, will make this is a must-see for visitors to Upton.”

Annette Keyworth, chairman of Upton Tourism and Trade Association, said: “It is an iconic part of Upton and as long as people get the proper knowledge of Upton and its heritage that is what is important.”

She added that a benefit of the move was that volunteers in the heritage centre would be able to help visitors even when the TIC is closed.

The new TIC is open on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays during the winter and then every day except Thursdays and Sundays from April until the end of September.

The district council is currently carrying out refurbishment work at the former TIC and is negotiating with a potential tenant who would like to open a greengrocers shop.