Council takes over TIC
News Archive > General > Council takes over TIC
from the council due to the issue being "green papered," despite the Voice learning in January that the council had unanimously decided to keep the facility.Councillor Andy Hannan, Newquay's future deputy mayor, said: "After several weeks of discussions and negotiations with Visit Cornwall, Newquay Town Council are pleased to announce that they will be taking over the ownership and day-to-day running of Newquay’s TIC from April 1.
"The take over will secure the future of the service after several months of uncertainty providing visitors and potential visitors to the Town with a vital point of contact for all matters relating to tourism."
The move will also see the start of a new partnership between Newquay Town Council and Visit Cornwall, which will incorporate the TIC offices, its staff and the Visit Newquay website.
Cllr Hannan continued: "Discussions are continuing to finalise the future management arrangements for the service and a full press release will be arranged for the near future.
"This move shows the strength of Newquay Town Council’s commitment to business and tourism in Newquay and will provide an officially recognised, professional tourism information service for our visitors."
Mayor John Fitter welcomed the proposal with open arms, calling the TIC "essential" to the town's future.
He said: "As an ex-hotelier and someone who has worked in the tourism trade for years, I know how essential a TIC is. If we want to be taken seriously as the leading town in the country for tourism then we need a TIC, and I am thrilled that Newquay town Council has taken responsibility for Newquay in this way.
"It's a real step forward and its going to be a success."
One of the initial concerns about the takeover was the funding the TIC it would require, which Cornwall Council projections suggested would be huge.
However, Cllr Fitter said: "I think that everyone in the county has concerns about funding, whether they are a family, a pensioner, or a town council. But if we were not to take this step as a result of funding, Newquay's future as a resort would not look so good.
"You cannot always gold plate every decision you make."
He added: "The next step will be for Cllr Hannan, as chairman of the transition committee, to prepare the way for working in cooperation with the council and the town to give it the project the strength it needs.
"The TIC is not just for visitors, either. There are times when local people need assistance from it too, and that is why I prefer to call it a Town Information Centre."
