Ledbury Tourist Information Centre to be based in historic centre

Ledbury Tourist Information Centre is to move from its current location on the High Street to the Master's House a few minutes away to make use of the historic property owned by Herefordshire Council.

The lease on the current site expires at the end of February and this is an opportunity to relocate to premises without the high rents and rates which the council has to subsidise.

There has been local concern regarding the move, however moving the TIC aims to make best use of the Masters House in Ledbury which is an historic site but is currently under used.

During 2007 the Ledbury and Area Development Trust was commissioned to consult local people on their preferred use of the Masters House. There was overwhelming support from people wanting the library to be based at the Masters House and Herefordshire Council is pursuing funding to build an extension on the site to cater for the library and also other services to create a Ledbury Centre.

Out of the research came a business plan, again produced by the Ledbury and Area Development Trust, which recommended the TIC moving to the Masters House when the lease expires, as the first step in developing the site as a centre for the town.

Herefordshire Council considered that this proposal, when considered alongside other options, was the best available.

Councillor Adrian Blackshaw, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for economic development and community services, said: "I'm aware there are local concerns over moving the TIC from the High Street and it no longer being able to promote businesses in the centre's windows. However, the nature of tourism has changed and information centres no longer need to be on the High Street".

"As the work by the Ledbury and Area Trust highlighted, this is an opportunity to make the most of the Masters House and start the longer term process of creating a great resource for the Town that combines the modern and the historic, for people of all ages, backgrounds and interests. We also intend to have much more signage to the TIC as I'm aware that this is a concern for local people and tourism operators," he added.

At the beginning of March the TIC will move into the Masters House in a temporary position, until later in the month when refurbishment is complete. There will then be a grand opening with special events and activities to mark the re-opening.