A NUMBER of community organisations and businesses have offered to host a pared-down tourist information service in Richmond as the current one faces the axe.

Councillors say they are encouraged by the number of options for a replacement tourist service, which they believe is vital to the wellbeing of the town.

But in Leyburn, councillors and business groups said plans to cut the tourist information centre therewould damage the tourist economy of the whole of Wensleydale.

The tourist information centres (TICs) in Richmond and Leyburn could have their funding cut by Richmondshire District Council in March as members look to fill a £400,00 shortfall.

Officers have been asked to look for alternatives, which will be presented to councillors before they make a final decision on the cuts.

The proposals for TICs are among potential savings suggested by councillors, including extra car park charge, cutting grants to outside bodies and transferring responsibility for playgrounds and open spaces to other organisations.

The two TICs cost the council £132,000 a year and members hope to save that by transferring the management of the service to other organisations, whivh would run volunteer-led tourist information points (TIPs).

TIPs can be anything from a stand of leaflets and an information screen to a small office with a trained volunteer.

Simon Fletcher, assistant director for customer services at the district council, attended a meeting of Richmond Town Council to advise members.

He said: “Most of the bodies I have spoken to want the TIC to stay where it is, but unfortunately that is not an option. However, several groups in the town have said they will come up with something to make sure the provision stays.

“Potentially there could be several TIPs in the town.”

Among the organisations interested are the Station, Richmondshire Museum, the Green Howards Museum, the Georgian Theatre, the RSVCI and Castle Hill Bookshop.

Mr Fletcher said he was also working with North Yorkshire County Council to look at putting a TIP inside Richmond library.

Members of Richmond Town Council declined to give an official response before speaking to their constituencies, but did indicate that they would prefer to see the service stay close to the town centre.

In Leyburn, councillors said they did not want to lose the TIC, but agreed that if it had to go, a TIP should be in the centre of the town.

Mr Fletcher has attended a meeting of Leyburn Town Council to give an update.

Speaking at an earlier meeting, Coun Fleur Butler, leader of Richmondshire District Council, who also represents Leyburn, said: “We are in discussions about what sort of service is needed.

I will do my utmost to keep some sort of service going, if it is called for.

“However, we have to be honest – the money is simply not there.”

The consultation period for the 12 service areas facing cuts has now ended. The matter will go before the strategy board at Richmondshire District Council on Tuesday and a final decision will be made in March.