Rescue package for info centres

Millions of visitors flock to the Lake District every year

A potential rescue plan for Cumbria's tourist information centres threatened with closure has been unveiled.

Cumbria Tourist Board is bidding to set up a separate organisation - Infoco - to help visitors with information.

There are 33 TICs in the county run by 13 different organisations at a total cost of around £1.7m a year.

The Lake District National Park Authority intends to close six centres, while South Lakeland District Council is reviewing its seven centres.

Cumbria Tourist Board (CTB) does not run or manage the information centres (TICs), but acts in an advisory capacity.

'Ambitious plan'

CTB is only proposing to tackle those threatened with closure, providing funding is forthcoming.

It aims to discuss future management of the information centres and building of partnerships with different operators.

The rescue plan is dependent on £300,000 being made available by economic development agencies, as well as financial support from local authorities, and local businesses taking on franchises.

It would involve the creation of a locally-based contact centre to handle inquiries and provide an immediate response, in addition to foreign language information.

A network of integrated Ask Me Information Points franchised throughout the county in shops, petrol stations, cafes and attractions would also be set up.

CTB chief executive Ian Stephens said: "This is an ambitious strategy which will revolutionise visitor information provision in Cumbria, but to work it requires the support of the economic development agencies, local authorities and our communities.

"The ideas are still being developed but the principle is to have some tourist information provision in place."