Peeblesshire News | News | Tourist Information Centre is staying put

Friday, 5th December, 2008

Published: Friday, 27th October, 2006 10:15

Tourist Information Centre is staying put

By Hannah Jefferson

A BID to evict the Visit Scotland from the Chambers Institute has failed.

Scottish Borders Council wanted to turn the prime-location shop into a contact centre for all the services it has to offer.

But the plans angered both tourism bosses and community leaders in Peebles.

And at this week’s Tweeddale Area Commmittee the council was told to go away and think again – as members refused planning permission to regress from a retail unit.

Chairman of Peebles and District Community Council, Ian Wilson, welcomed the news. He told the Peeblesshire News: “The Community Council are very pleased to see that the area Committee has decided that the Tourist Information is to stay where it is.

“It is a great relief and good to see that at long last they have listened to us.”

The council wanted to use Peebles as a pilot project for bringing all its contact points under one roof.

And will now find another Borders town to open up its first all-purpose customer service office.

Council leader David Parker said: “Many councils are now operating offices where you can access all council services – and that is certainly the way ahead.

“The idea is excellent – a contact centre where you can pay your council tax, book a football pitch, inquire about getting your bins emptied and report a hole in the road all at once.

“Peebles looked to be the ideal place for the pilot scheme, and with the number of staff involved the Tourist Information Centre seemed like the best option for an office.

“Location of the office is obviously a problem, and that is something we will have to think about before we come back to Peebles with the plan.”

Visit Scotland are delighted that the council will be looking elsewhere and tourism boss Fiona Drane said: “From our point of view we are pleased that the Tourist Information Centre is staying where it is on the High Street.

“We would have had less space in the other premises and the present building is a much better location strategically.”

Social Bookmarking What are these?