THE future of seven Tourist Information centres across South Lakeland - including one in a popular market town on the fringes of the Yorkshire Dales - is looking brighter after community groups stepped in to save them.

The 7 TIC's - all of them in popular visitor destinations - had been under threat of closure as South Lakeland District Council attempts to make financial savings. It is estimated that the TIC proposals will achieve savings of £270,000 per year.

Future secured for Kirkby Lonsdale TIC

Officers and councillors have spent several months identifying a range of solutions that they hope will satisfy the need to make savings while maintaining the vital tourist information service; and now a packet of measures has been approved that will see the TIC's continue to operate through either community partnerships, delivery by other organisations commissioned by the council or by continuing to be run directly by council staff.

Councillor Peter Thornton, Cabinet member for Communities, said: "I'm delighted that we've managed to find a way forward for all the centres as there was a real risk that some of them might have to close.

"It's been a challenge to get to this point but our officers have worked hard to find a solution and we've been helped enormously by the response from local communities who have come forward with proposals.

"They've recognised that there are significant benefits for them in getting more involved in the TICs and shaping the service to meet the needs of their own particular community."

Kirkby Lonsdale and Broughton-in-Furness TIC's look set to be run by community-owned companies and Grange TIC to be run in partnership with Grange Town Council. The TIC's in Kendal and Ulverston will be linked more closely to the council's operation of the public halls that they are based in.

SLDC has been approached by several local organisations who are interested in managing Windermere and Ambleside TIC's and the council is currently evaluating these options.

The proposals for all centres are still subject to more detailed discussions and negotiations but SLDC aims to have the new arrangements in place by April next year.

What do you think? Send us your views using the form below.

Name:
Email:
Your city, town or village:
Your Views: (required)
Keep my view anonymous:
 
Please enter the code above: (required)
 

Disclaimer: Daelnet will endeavour to put up as many of your views as possible. However, we cannot guarantee that all e-mails will be published. We reserve the right to edit any views that are published for legal or editorial reasons. Further, your details will not be used for any other services.