MORE venues are being sought across Barnard Castle to provide visitor information to tourists and day trippers.
The town’s Tourist Information Centre closed in 2011 and although a visitor information point has operated from The Witham since 2013, town councillors are keen to work with as many people as possible to spread the word about local attractions.
Cllr Ian Kirkbride, chairman of the council’s partnership committee, said he was keen to do all he can to ensure visitors to the town are well looked after.
While information is available from The Witham shop, the arts venue is closed to the public two days of the week, meaning visitors to the town on Sundays and Mondays cannot access the wealth of leaflets on offer.
Shelagh Avery, chairwoman of trustees at The Witham, told councillors it was not possible to open the volunteer-run shop at the arts centre on its own.
She explained that due to the layout, the entire building would be vulnerable and there would need to be an employee in the building, which brought added costs.
She added: “We would certainly want to help Barnard Castle and always have.
“If there are ways of improving the service to visitors in collaboration with partners in town we want to help.”
The idea of providing a “virtual tourist information” was briefly discussed, but councillors were keen to find alternative locations that could accommodate information stands to ensure visitors were provided with the best service, every day of the week.
Members discussed the possibility of siting a visitor point in the vestibule of the council’s offices at Woodleigh on Scar Top on the relevant days and will investigate this as an option.
Cllr Sandra Moorhouse said: “Would they [volunteers] be interested in hosting it [tourist information point] elsewhere on the Sunday and Monday so people can access it?
“It is not really up to the Witham to supply the information.”
Cllr Richard Child said: “I think if the volunteers are a little more trained on the information they give would be a good thing.”
Cllr Kirkbride said: “It comes across sometimes there is a black hole in the town and there is no formal arrangement.
“It is a good thing that we are talking about it and we can look at alternatives.
“We will work with as many partners as possible in promoting tourism in the town.”
