Richmond TIC to close after only seven months under new management (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Richmond TIC to close after only seven months under new management

11:04am Sunday 10th March 2013 in News By Ashley Barnard, Reporter (Richmond)

A TOURIST information centre has closed after only seven months under new management because it was not making enough money.

Richmondshire Leisure Trust (RLT) took over Richmond Tourist Information Centre (TIC), based in Friary Gardens, in August last year and had plans to include a Starbucks coffee service, washing facilities for walkers and an internet cafe.

Manager of the trust Austin Gordon said the trust could no longer afford to run the volunteer-run service.

“We are working with Richmondshire District Council to find a solution, but it will have to close for hopefully only a short period of time,” he said.

“The board felt that, looking at the accounts, it was not doing as well as expected – we took over last summer and it was very quiet because of the wet weather.”

Richmond Mayor, Stuart Parsons, said: “We are hugely disappointed to hear it is closing and we will be working with the district council to ensure it reopens quickly and provides the best service possible.

“There will be a solution found because there has to be.”

Richmondshire District Council said an interim solution will be put in place until a new operator is found and it will reopen on Saturday, March 23 under these arrangements.

District council leader John Blackie said: “The business plan the RLT put forward sounded impressive so we are very disappointed to hear that the trust has decided to pull out, especially so close to the Easter holiday.

“The council felt it was offering an excellent opportunity for the right business, but we understand the trust considers operating the TIC is not a realistic proposition after all.”

In the interim he said that the TIC will reopen operated by a team of volunteers who will run the information service and the associated network of Richmond tour guides. Volunteer Hilda Ellis said: “I have been working in the TIC since the 1990s and myself and the other 17 volunteers are very sad to see it close – it provides such an important service.”

Coun Blackie said he expected to see a new operator in place no later than the May Spring Bank Holiday.