Plans to replace Marlborough’s library-based tourist information centre, closed last week following the withdrawal of Wiltshire Council funding, have also been stalled.
An emergency meeting was held last week by a working party of four town councillors to look at tourist information in Marlborough and to consider new possibilities as well.
And at the request of activist Val Compton, the councillors also reviewed potential outside funding for a new tourist centre, named available sites including the town hall itself and St Peter’s Church.
That move followed the unqualified support given to town councillors Richard Pitts and Guy Loosmore (see pic) at a meeting of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce’s executive, which backed the urgent need for a local tourism plan to be developed.
The aim now is to set up a general Marlborough Information and Tourist Centre, which would also provide residents with details of local events and organisations, an objective seen as all part of a general desire to make information more easily accessible to a wider range of residents.
But the question of generating much-needed income to help bolster the funding of any tourist centre has brought the search for outside aid to a temporary halt — because of a potential clash of interests between more than one project.
Val Compton, along with Rob Chiodi and Christina Ramsden, have been working on new ideas for the past fortnight. “We have proposals and statistics ready to be handed on to whoever will take the project forward,” Mrs Compton told Marlborough News Online.
Further input from local businesses is expected at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting, to be held in the revamped town hall on June 16. “I would like to encourage as many businesses as possible to attend,” Councillor Pitts told Marlborough News Online.
“Meanwhile, if anyone is interested in helping and has constructive ideas they are very welcome to contact me either in writing via the council offices or email rpitts@marlboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk“>rpitts@marlboroughtowncouncil.gov.uk.”
