Forum for residents of St Georges Park and Long Leys Road Lincoln

[john shipton]

There has been much debate in the city of Lincoln about City Hall closing down the two centres and requesting that tourists and visitors in the 21st century should use the internet before visiting Lincoln. The idea behind this is to save so called money.
The final decision rests at the next full council meeting next Tuesday evening at The Guildhall.
However, people have been discussing the issue in the Echo and on the Echo's web site which is
http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk
Worth a look.
In the meantime, one of our local residents has expressed his point of view published in the letters column of this newspaper today...

25th February 2009
Both these useful and attractive venues are in themselves part of the delightful culture of our city that this council seems determined to harm.
Just because there is a stronger focus on the Internet doesn't mean the 500,000 people who it is said have used these facilities over the last three years should be ignored.
I live in Lincoln but I often look into the centres to browse, look at brochures and catch up with city cultural events.
The staff are exceptionally helpful and there is a wealth of information encouraging commerce and tourism. The Internet cannot compete with meeting and chatting about what is on offer.
First came the dreadful decision to stop funding the iconic Theatre Royal. Now this latest threat – which in my opinion is plain bonkers!
Although I have been a Conservative voter for years, I am extremely grateful to our MP and the Labour councillors who have shown the common sense to oppose this shortsighted act of sabotage against our tourism and culture.
PAUL HOWARD Mercer Drive, Lincoln.

[Paul and Janet]

Hi John, thanks for publishing my letter. Both the Tourist Information Centres have "customer comment logs" where anyone can add a comment and signature. They can't call it a petition but it is fast becoming just that.
There is a meeting scheduled for Monday 9th. March 6.00pm at City Hall to decide the fate of the tourist centres. It is open to the public and in committee rooms 2 and 3 , entrance via Orchard Street.
For anyone interested the website http://www.lincoln.gov.uk/democracy has a link entitled agendas and minutes. Follow the link to "executive". Click 9th March and the Tourist Information centre topic is available here. Numerous documents include Appendix 1B the "Impact Assessment" regarding the closure.... this highlights the huge number of tourist/commercial/cultural venues and events that would be "massively affected" For example hotels which get direct bookings and referrals, restaurants, shops, businesses, (eg Eddie Ash's Aviation Art studio on Steep Hill!) theatres, County wide events, Transport facilities, Ghost walk, boat trips. The Museum of Lincolnshire Life 2008 visitor study reveals that MOST of their visitors came via touriest offices!...the list goes on..Doddington Hall,The Collection,Archives, Bishop's palace, The Lawn, Ellis Mill. Even the Cathedral and Castle lose the local knowledge and promotion they benefit from via the Tourist Oficces. "Closure would give visitors the impression there is nothing of interest to see here". Anyone concerned might wish to add a signature in the Centres or perhaps an email to John.latham@lincoln.go.uk ( Director of Development & Environmental Services) might help.
Kind regards, Paul Howard

[Paul and Janet]

Sorrry that email is of course John.latham@lincoln.gov.uk
Paul

[john shipton]

Hi Paul:

I did some shopping in central market this afternoon and spoke to stallholders.
This is interesting...
They said one of the tourist information centres facing closure is in the Cornhill and it appears that no TIC is in the plans for the proposed development called Lindongate which includes a new bus station, railway station and shopping precinct. They laughed at what the Conservatives wish to shut and sell off.
Now, York has TICs and well as other cities which want visitors and tourists to visit.
You would think that such people coming to Lincoln to browse, look and visit the heart of Lincoln would use a TIC, especially from arriving at the railway and bus stations. They would not be expected on arriving to use the internet which Lincoln City Council are promoting.
What a way to drive people (in using the ever traffic congestion problem) away.
Just does not make any sense.

[john shipton]

In reply to Paul and other residents, it is been decided to close down the two Information Tourist Centres and that is that. See article taken from the Echo this morning...

LINCOLN TO SHUT TOURISM CENTRES
Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 07:30
Both of Lincoln's tourist information centres will be shut down from September – making the city the only major historic location in the country without a walk-in facility.
The centres, which are located in High Street and Castle Hill square are being sacrificed to make up for a shortfall in the City of Lincoln Council's budget.
The decision was made at a meeting of the authority's executive board in City Hall last night and will affect the jobs of 13 staff at the centres.
At the meeting council leader councillor Darren Grice said: "I am fully aware of the emotional arguments top keep the tourist information centres open but every day I get up and I have to make decisions about saving this money."
The centres will be replaced with a telephone and internet service and three roles will be created that will be ring-fenced for existing TIC staff.
The other 10 will be made redundant.
Other tourism and arts services will also be affected as the council seeks to offload the authority-run arts function to the Drill Hall and transfer its marketing duties to Lincolnshire Tourism.
For a fuller report of the meeting, see Tuesday's Echo.

COMMENT
I was in the public gallery at last nights meeting. I went because I am concerned that closure will adversely impact upon economic sustainability of our tourist industry.
Council Offcers submitted an alternative proposal which had the potential to save hundreds of thousdands of pounds, yet would still keep one of the centres open. The proposal was accompanied by a sound business case and was articulately presented.
Despite this, the cities elected members voted to close this facility.
Only two councillors voted against it - the other five toed the party line.
Shame on you.
Observer, Lincoln - commented on 10-Mar-2009 08:36

[Paul and Janet]

Thank you John,
I couldn't attend the meeting for family reasons but appreciate your being there for us and your comments.
Agree entirely...and this isn't the end of it.
regards,
Paul