Liverpool’s tourist information centre (TIC) will remain open calming fears over potential job losses.
As part of the city council’s budget setting process, a number of savings have been identified including cuts to the city’s culture and visitor economy budget. Liverpool has had to find £49m for the next financial year and will confirm its plans next week.
Traders within the tourism sector feared that could spell an end for the city’s TIC within Liverpool ONE with the possible loss of jobs. Members of the city council were sent an email on behalf of Liverpool Link Organisation - representing the city’s tourism industry - calling for any closure to be averted.
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The local authority has now confirmed the centre will continue to operate at Liverpool ONE while a review of the operating model is completed. In a statement on its website, the council said its aim was “to create a fit for purpose offer that is supported by the private sector.” The TIC had its funding removed four years ago but the budget option was not implemented.
Liverpool Council has confirmed it is working with Liverpool ONE to prevent the TIC closing for good and reviewing how best it can be kept going. Councillor Harry Doyle, cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, said: “As one of the most popular visitor destinations in the country it is vital we have a modern tourist information offer that enhances the experience of people coming to our city.
“We have been determined to find a positive way forward for the Tourist Information Service and I am grateful to Liverpool ONE for agreeing to work with us to develop a service that is supported by the private sector. This is an opportunity for us to rethink and revamp the service, with the private sector playing a more pivotal role in their activities and funding.
“I would like to thank the staff for their continued commitment during what has been a very uncertain period.” Iain Finlayson, estate director at Liverpool ONE, added: “As a city region Liverpool welcomed as many as 66m visitors in a single year, spending a total of almost £5bn pre-pandemic.
“In building back towards these numbers it is imperative that we have a Tourist Information Centre presence in the city centre as part of an integrated visitor welcome strategy across the region. We are pleased to hear that Liverpool Council are to reconsider any closure plans and look forward to discussing with them and the wider visitor economy potential long-term solutions with a view to the retention of the city’s Tourist Information Centre.”
Earlier this year, Theresa Grant, interim city council chief executive said the authority was keen to keep the TIC open despite it operating at a deficit and a way to “dramatically” bring costs down.
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