Outcry over ‘death wish’ as cuts to tourism centres approved

Richmondshire District Council has pushed ahead with its contentious proposals to pull the plug on £130,000 funding for the centres in Richmond and Leyburn and replace them with tourist information points run by the private sector, despite a huge outcry over the feared impact it could have.

Critics say it could strangle a vital economic lifeline for the area, with the tourism industry worth £184.5m annually to Richmondshire’s economy and supporting more than 4,500 jobs during the peak season.

But this week, members of Richmondshire District Council’s Strategy Board rubber-stamped the proposals and it has now been announced the new points will be established in a bed and breakfast in Leyburn and a coffee shop in Richmond.

Andy Brook, a member of the Leyburn Business Action Group whose countrywear outfitters shop relies on tourists for nearly half of its trade, said many information points already exist in shops, pubs and bed and breakfasts and a central hub is needed.

“This is going to be a big blow for the area”, he said.

“Nobody yet has actually explained to me with any confidence what a tourist information point is actually going to be.

“Richmondshire tourism is worth £185m and the district council is just walking away from that.

“This process has been done terribly and is a financial death wish – now we are going to have to see what happens.

“They are playing dangerously with a vital industry.”

Tourist information centres have been transformed over the past decade as the number of the visitors to the Dales has rocketed – the Leyburn office used to be situated in an old caravan.

It is feared the proposals to shut the centres could lead to the Dales being overtaken again by other areas as a visitor destination.

Martin Crowson, the owner of Dales Haven Bed and Breakfast, where the Leyburn point is to be set up, said: “This is not a day for celebration at the creation of these new tourist information points.

“I want to pay tribute to the volunteers and workers at the tourist information centre, they have made a huge difference.

“The first choice would have been to keep the tourist information centre open.

“It is now up to us with the help of volunteers to make it work as best as we can.”

Mr Crowson said it was planned to convert a spare room overlooking the market place into the new tourist point, and it would be equipped with leaflets, computer access and an accommodation booking service.

He said he expects it would operate a reduced service compared to the tourist information centre at peak times and it would need extra volunteers to make it work.

The changes are part of a move by Richmondshire District Council to claw back £1.5m in savings and officials say it will release more than £90,000 for the authority.

The Yorkshire Post understands up to 13 businesses expressed an interest in operating an information point in Richmond and there were four front-runners in Leyburn.

The council says it hopes to see more points set up.

Coun Melva Steckles, spokeswoman for strong neighbourhoods, said: “The centres will move away from being council run to being managed by the private sector and supported by volunteers – but still maintaining a presence in each market town.

“And we hope to see more created in Richmondshire and Leyburn if there is local support for that.”

The district council says the changes will be implemented as soon as possible.