A PETITION against the proposed relocation of the Tourist Information Centre has received around 500 signatures.

Rodney Randle, who owns Malvern Goldsmiths, in Bellevue Terrace, started the paper petition after opening his shop on Friday, March 10.

The district council plans to move the TIC out of Church Street, in the town centre, and into a new building in Avenue Road.

The 71-year-old said: "I set it [the petition] up around three weeks ago. It seemed that everybody was up in arms about it.

"The town council is above me and I heard things from them and other people.

"I'm a newcomer to Malvern and it seems incredible that they would take the shop window away.

"It's crazy, tourism is the main industry. Everybody that comes through the shop signs the petition, everyone is up in arms."

Mr Randle added that he gave signature forms to several businesses in the town, most of which have yet to be returned.

The petition has been signed by 380 people in his shop and 100 people in Belle Vue Delicatessen.

Other Malvern businesses supporting the petition include The Bran Tub, The Mount Pleasant Hotel, The Great Malvern Hotel, Brays of Malvern, Dynastic Art and Forget Me Not.

Malvern Town Council has also started a petition against the proposed move, which went online on Tuesday, April 11.

The day after it was set up the petition already had over 200 signatures and residents had left comments on the page.

Carol James, from Malvern, wrote: "Malvern needs its TIC in its centre.

"It is a big draw for visitors bringing valuable trade to the town and is a source from which to gather and give information for locals too.

"Please don't let this valuable resource disappear, it's right where it should be!"

Tony Fuller, also from Malvern, said: "There is no point in hiding the TIC away where it is not obvious to visitors who do not know Great Malvern.

"It needs to be obvious and very near the centre."

A spokesman for Malvern Hills District Council said: "We understand the popularity of the Tourist Information Centre and have no doubt this petition will attract much support.

"However, we are faced with a significant financial challenge with £1.45million of savings to make by 2020/21 which requires some difficult decisions to be made."

"Keeping the TIC in its current format is unsustainable as it costs £100,000 a year to run.

"In the event this option isn’t viable then alternative solutions will need to be looked at."

The spokesman said the move would bring the TIC closer to public car parks, the theatre and the railway station.

They added that the proposal would allow the district council to open up its offices to the public.

Anyone who wants to sign the online petition can do so on https://www.change.org/p/mtc-your-tic-your-say-malvern-tic-should-remain-in-its-current-location