Future of Upton's TIC to be discussed (From Malvern Gazette)

Future of Upton's TIC to be discussed

11:00am Monday 19th September 2011 in News

TALKS on the future of Upton’s Tourist Information service will be taking place next week.

Malvern Hills District Council has invited local organisations to participate in a consultation workshop on Thursday, September 29.

Invited groups received a letter from MHDC’s head of community and economic development Lee Robson explaining that savings need to be made as a result of the well-publicised government funding cuts.

“Although some efficiencies and savings will be found at Malvern TIC, the focus of savings is likely to be in related to altering the service model in Upton, as Malvern acts as the principle TIC for the whole district,” it states.

Mr Robson says the council is committed to ensuring a good quality service remains.

However he adds: “With changing service needs, potential for joint working, use of new technology and inevitable lightening of budgets we must reconsider our current approach.”

Councillor Barbara Williams, MHDC’s portfolio holder for economic development, said the workshop would be an opportunity to work collaboratively with local stakeholders.

“We recognise the importance of tourism in the town and we are determined to continue offering a tourism information service in Upton,” she said. “We have organised this workshop so we can effectively engage with local stakeholders and jointly explore ideas about how the service can be delivered more effectively and at less cost.”

Mike Morgan, who represents Upton on the council, plans to attend the workshop. He said: “We clearly need a TIC presence in Upton, and the commitment is very much there to continue to provide one.

“We are not using the building we have got particularly well, as there are three stories to it. Do we make better use of that or do we look at a different building for the TIC? This is a chance to see what people in the town think and to establish a way forward.”

Upton Tourism and Trade Association chairman Peter Webb feels strongly that the TIC must remain where it is. He said it would be a “disaster” to move it to a less prominent position.