Withernsea and Hornsea info centres close
TRADERS and civic leaders have criticised a decision to close tourist information centres in two East Riding seaside towns.
As part of a trial scheme, the region's tourism organisation has shut manned centres in Hornsea and Withernsea – replacing them with touch-screen computers in new locations.
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Withernsea Town Cllr Anne Blake outside the East Riding Tourist Information centre in Withernsea, which closed for the rest of the summer.
The move has seen the centres in Queen Street, Withernsea, and Newbegin, Hornsea, closed for the remainder of the summer season.
The new consoles have been installed in leisure centres in the towns.
Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY), which runs the tourist centres, say the change will give people information during more hours of the day.
If the pilot project proves successful, VHEY has not ruled out using it in other areas.
But people in the towns have said the new touch-screen consoles lack the personal approach offered by manned centres.
Jean Robinson, from Hornsea, who worked in the town's tourist information centre for 15 years before retiring four years ago, said: "The tourist information centre was a very valuable service and I think there ought to be a friendly face behind a desk on the main street to answer queries."
Councillor Anne Blake, Withernsea's deputy mayor, questioned relocating tourism information to the town's Pavilion Leisure Centre.
She said: "The Pavilion is out of the way of the main centre, and the only people who will use it are people who are already visiting the leisure centre."
Hornsea trader Alvin Wilkinson said: "Already, I've had people coming into the shop asking where tourist information can be found and where the leisure centre is."
Officials say replacing the two information centres – which, combined, were used by more than 21,000 people over the last year – is not a cost-cutting exercise.
VHEY says the six part-time staff who manned the centres are now working within the towns, visiting businesses and attractions.
The touch-screens provide up-to-date information on what there is to see and do in the region, and the facility to book accommodation.
Janet Reuben, chief executive of VHEY, said: "The current tourist information centres are only open seasonal, and aren't full-time opening, so the leisure centre will give visitors access to information seven days a week all year round.
"We want to make it as easy as possible for visitors to find out about our exciting region, give them a warm welcome when they arrive and help them get the most out of their stay whilst they are here."
7 Comments
by Seamus, Limerick
Thursday, February 11 2010, 9:43AM
“Some of these "news¿"items I know
Are matters from long, long ago
They keep them on here
For year upon year
Cause they know that your reading is slow!”
by fed up of push button 'services', Hornsea
Sunday, August 30 2009, 2:42AM
“As one who detests call centres, answer machines and long queues waiting for a response from an ill informed youngster. give me a human voice, a smiling face, and someone who knows what they are talking about.
Yes all this propaganda is about cost cutting - but tell me how you cost cut Volunteers? The Civic Society in Hornsea and other members of the public now give there time freely to help tourists and future residents to the town. situated in the Town Centre, not stuck out on a limb in some impersonal building the response has been wonderful - the free service is even better than before.
Once again the local residents have had to unite to challenge and show the powers that want to be just how it should be done.
how many more times will we have to 'do our own thing' to challenge badly thought out innovations.
Does no one at County Hall know what leave well alone means? new services are fine along side existing proven ones. Move forward, if that is the intention but softly softly. Or else new revolutionary ideas will meet head on with a real revolution.”
by over 55., Hornsea
Sunday, August 30 2009, 2:26AM
“VHEY stands for Very Haughty Egotistic Youngsters. do these 30 something' s wishing to change the world not realise that both Hornsea and Withernsea are towns that cater for a predominantly retiring populace. new people are wishing to retire to the seaside every year. they come looking for local information and organisations to get involved with, they may start by bringing the family for a couple of weeks in a caravan, they may fall in love with the place as youngsters themselves BUT there are a lot of them who are not;'silver surfers' they want to talk to another human being..
The response by local volunteers to provide this personal contact has reaped huge responses from both old and young alike - a machine can never give opinions or recommendations - only cold facts. VHEY leave well alone listen to your peers they have YEARS of experience and local knowledge that not even Google can match. Do not burn bridges until the alternative is proven or else you will find yourselves stranded, stuck with a load of expensive White Elephants.
Every experiment needs a pilot but not one that hasn't earned his wings yet.”
by Tom, Local
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 10:13PM
“How Diana Johnson MP for Hull voted on key issues since 2001 (courtesy of the Whips¿ Office):
Voted a mixture of for and against a transparent Parliament.
Voted very strongly for introducing a smoking ban.
Voted very strongly for introducing ID cards.
Voted very strongly for Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
Voted very strongly against an investigation into the Iraq war.
Voted very strongly for replacing Trident.
Voted very strongly for equal gay rights.
Voted moderately for laws to stop climate change”
by garry, not in these dives thank god
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 3:10PM
“you dont need a tourist information, to tell people ther's nothing in Hornsea, and Withernsea worth going there for, the sooner they go into the sea the better”
by Ann, Preston, preston
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 2:09PM
“A leisure centre is not the first place I would think of going to for tourist info. Can it not be included in the new Town Council building when it opens?”
by Mike, Hornsea
Wednesday, August 12 2009, 6:31AM
“You can dress it up how you like, but at the end of the day,
it's down to Cost cutting.!!!!!!!”