Cuts threat to the future of visitor centre

Saddleworth museum and tourist information centre in Uppermill.

The long-term future of Saddleworth’s Visitor Information Service is hanging in the balance as the parish council searches for savings.

The service, based at Saddleworth Museum, was under threat in 2008 when Government funding was cut. At that time the parish council offered £4,500 a year, adamant that it was central to local tourism.

But as interest in the service declines, councillors are rethinking the way they help the centre: some have even suggested a website might be more effective.

Councillor John Hudson said: “I don’t feel there is a need for the visitors’ centre anymore. People use technology like the internet or smart phones to find out information.”

Councillor Mike Buckley added: “We all want to support the museum, which is a wonderful facility, but the turnover at the visitors’ centre is not sufficient.”

Peter Fox, curator at the museum and visitor centre, said: “Despite interest going down we still get 20,000 inquiries a year. We are a local community service more than anything. We never wanted to get all our funding from the parish council but we are looking to them to carry on supporting us at this time.

“I know a lot of people get their information from the internet, but a personal service can do a lot of things the internet can’t.”

The parish council has agreed to continue its funding until the end of the financial year, then will consider the issue again



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