The Malvern Tourist Information Centre has opened its doors for the first time in its new location.

The TIC opened today in the Lyttelton Well Courtyard after moving from its old home further up Church Street.

It will continue to offer most of the services it does now, including face-to-face advice for visitors six days a week and on Sundays throughout the summer or during major events.

It will also stock key visitor information leaflets and guides, provide event information and ticket sales, an accommodation booking service and issue Malvern Hills Trust car park passes.

The established team and volunteers will be on hand to offer a friendly welcome to all visitors.

The move is part of a five-year deal reached between Malvern Hills District Council, Great Malvern Priory and Lyttelton Well.

The council is renting the building while remaining responsible for employing TIC staff and promotion of the district as a tourist destination.

Simon Smith, economic development manager for Malvern Hills District Council, said: “We are all very excited about the move and we can’t wait to provide the same quality service to our visitors. Thank you to everyone involved in making this happen, particularly Lyttelton Well and the TIC staff.”

The move is part of a package of measures being enacted by the district council, which needs to save £1.45 million from its budget by 2021 due to government funding cuts.

An earlier proposal to move the TIC to the council house off Avenue Road generated opposition led by town centre traders, including a 500-name petition.

But it had to be abandoned after Priory Lodge Hall - which would have been demolished and replaced as part of the proposal - was named by English as a listed building.