Published on:
29
June 2009
Clackmannanshire Councillors have expressed their disappointment as VisitScotland has pulled out of discussions to keep a staffed Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in the county.
The Council had coordinated ongoing meetings with VisitScotland and Sterling Mills Outlet Shopping Village, in an effort to keep a staffed facility in the county during the summer season. Negotiations had centred on the contributions each partner could offer to maintain a staffed information centre.
However, on 17 June VisitScotland contacted the Council to say that they believed there was no case for a staffed VIC in Clackmannanshire. This news came as a shock to Council officers who had put considerable time and effort into the negotiations in good faith. VisitScotland has now suggested an unstaffed Visitor Information Point with the cost of provision being picked up by the Council.
Councillor Kenny Earle, spokesperson for tourism, said "We believe there is a strong case to have a staffed Visitor Information Centre in Clackmannanshire through the summer. Both the Council and Sterling Mills Outlet Shopping Village were willing to provide a great deal of support for such a centre. This late change in VisitScotland's stance is, therefore, very disappointing Nevertheless, we will continue to work with VisitScotland in an effort to provide information facilities for visitors to Clackmannanshire
Paul Sutton, Retail Operations Director for Sterling Mills Outlet Shopping Village, added, "Ever since VisitScotland took the decision to close the Visitor Information Centre, Sterling Mills has taken an active lead in trying to find a way to re-introduce the facility. With the Council's active support acting as co-ordinator between the three parties I felt confident that a solution could be reached. Indeed, I believed that the contributions offered by the Council together with our support for the project would see us achieve our goal of bringing back a staffed Visitor Centre. I am therefore extremely disappointed that VisitScotland has withdrawn from these discussions."