New Look for Winchester Tourist Information Centre
Winchester’s award winning tourist information centre will be officially re-opened on 30 June at 11.30am following its major refurbishment. Special guest John Williams - the new Chairman of the regional tourism body, Tourism South East – will declare the centre open in the presence of the Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Dominic Hiscock.
Winchester City Council, which owns and operates the centre, has taken into consideration feedback from customers, organisations, and businesses which rely on the centre to promote them. The refurbishment has resulted in many improvements, including a lower counter to provide easier access for everyone; a more prominent display area for local events and attractions, and new shop-fittings to enable the centre to sell goods made by local artists and craftspeople. There is also a dedicated ‘backstage’ area for dealing with the ever increasing number of email enquiries received during the summer months.
Alison Woods, Winchester City Council’s Tourist Information Centre Manager, said:
“We have already received many positive comments from visitors and residents about the new centre. Customers appreciate the greater choice of souvenirs and gifts on sale, including jewellery made by Winchester’s Colour Factory and the World of Beads.”
Cllr George Beckett , Leader of Winchester City Council and portfolio holder for economy and tourism, added:
“This Council is committed to supporting the local economy, and tourism is a core sector for this District. I am proud that, at a time when many other councils are closing their tourist information centres, we are actually investing in ours. The centre has been recognised nationally for its excellent work, and staff play an important role in encouraging visitors to see – and spend – more while they are here in the Winchester District.”
Mike Bedingfield, Chief Executive of Tourism South East, said:
"We welcome Winchester's recognition of the importance of face-to-face visitor services in serving the wider industry and the District’s many visitors and residents. Winchester continues to set standards in the South East Region – the largest tourism region outside London - as a former winner of the national TIC of the Year award; an Enjoy England Official Partner, and several-times winner of national email mystery shopping assessments."
The tourist information centre is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. Call 01962 840 500, e-mail tourism@winchester.gov.uk or visit the website at www.visitwinchester.co.uk. The team look forward to welcoming you soon!