So where can we find tourist information?

A NEW Year conundrum awaits Rother cabinet - how, and where, to replace Bexhill's Tourist Information Centre.

The centre has dealt with more than 38,390 enquiries in the past year. But nobody has been found to replace George and Verena Mathews who previously ran it on Rother's behalf - and Rother has to get out of their premises.

Since Mr and Mrs Mathews quit, the Marina TIC has been run by Rother staff.

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Members had previously be advised that the current agreement with the Mathews' MiraLeisure business for use of the Marina premises needed to be ended at the earliest opportunity.

Officers have been looking at alternative arrangements.

Rother has had discussions with Hastings Borough Council and English Heritage, who operate Battle TIC.

Rother director of services Tony Leonard says in a report to the Monday, January 10 meeting of the cabinet: "At this juncture the Bexhill Tourist Information Centre will cease to operate as from April 1, 2005. Work is being undertaken to find an alternative arrangement for the sale of coach travel tickets, which is the most popular service that this TIC offers.

"With regards to literature distribution, it is being proposed to have the Bexhill Guide and other supporting tourism literature displayed at the Bexhill Community Help Point and perhaps the Library, subject to discussions.

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"With regards to enquiries for accommodation bookings and event programme via telephone and email, officers are exploring the opportunity that this be undertaken by either Battle Tourist Information Centre or an alternative TIC located within the 1066 Country area.In a risk assessment, Mr Leonard says: "Without the continuation of a manned TIC at Bexhill, alternative arrangements need to be put in place to handle enquiries, ticket sales, etc. Failure to do so will result in a loss of confidence from the public and from the business community."

The Bexhill TIC dealt with 3,622 written, faxed or e-mailed enquiries in 2004, 5,406 telephone enquiries and 29.867 visitors. Ticket sales on behalf of National Express coaches totalled 21,372, yielding 1,7010 in commission.

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