Tourism chiefs reveal plans for info centre (From Warrington Guardian)

Tourism chiefs reveal plans for info centre

NORTHWICH is to get its own Tourist Information Centre.

The move was announced at the launch of a major strategy designed to boost the tourism industry in Vale Royal.

"The siting of a fully networked Tourist Information Centre in Northwich will show visitors that we are a serious tourism destination," said Andrew Peattie, Vale Royal's tourism chief.

"And it will provide a showcase for local tourism businesses to sell themselves."

The centre should be open by the summer and will be based in the existing Vale Royal Information Centre. It will be manned by trained staff and marked by signposts on footpaths and roads.

"It will be one of the first visible planks of the tourism plan," added Andrea Peattie.

The Tourism Plan for Action was put together by the borough council with a range of other organisations including British Waterways, business groups, Cheshire County Council and the North West Tourist Board.

The industry, Vale Royal's biggest, currently employs over 1,000 people and generates £38 million every year.

But the strategy aims to help tourism grow by 10% during each of the next three years.

"This is an ambitious target but we will achieve it by delivering this plan with the dynamic partnership that has been formed," said Brian Lloyd, head of Vale Royal's leisure committee.

The strategy, launched before an invited audience at Vale Royal Abbey Golf Club, aims to improve the area's image and appeal by promoting its waterways, countryside and industrial heritage. Tourist chiefs want to bring more people to Vale Royal from across Britain - and the rest of the world. The area's top attractions include Oulton Park, Marbury Country Park, the Salt Museum and Anderton Boat Lift.

"I am sure Vale Royal has a great future," added Clr Lloyd.

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