Three tiers for Rother tourism

One “hub” tourist information centre (TIC), manned and operating to national networked standards, will be located in either Rye, Battle or Bexhill, and the two major towns not chosen for this will get “satellite” information points located within existing attractions or businesses.

Additionally, a minimum of 10 “local” information points with leaflet racks will be established within suitable village venues across the district, and 1066 Country tourism information panels will be renewed and extended from earmarked reserves of £16,500,

Both satellites will be staffed and have direct telephone links to the hub TIC, plus computer facilities and leaflet racks.

The system has been devised following 15, often lengthy, meetings of a working group chaired by Councillor David Vereker (Con), looking at all aspects of the council’s work to support tourism.

It is due to be adopted in March 2012 when existing TIC contracts expire, and Cllr Vereker told Cabinet colleagues on Monday: “We have tried to get a rather better spread for tourism opportunities than we have at the moment.”

He said the group’s task had not been made easier when it was told there could be no increase in present expenditure.

Location of the “hub” TIC and its two satellites would be a matter for whoever successfully tendered for the contract, as would opening hours, subject to peak periods being covered.

Cllr Kathryn Field (Lib Dem) said that with Rother in need of regeneration and relying heavily on tourism, TICs and tourism services needed expanding.

“People need guiding on what to see, with a lot of face-to-face help and not just leaflets in racks,” she said. “I believe if we are serious we need more than just a single hub.”

But given that only one was likely, she added: “We, as the local authority, should be setting out where that should be. The major problem in all this is lack of budget.”

Council leader and Cabinet chairman Carl Maynard (Con) said Rother faced a £1 million shortfall in next year’s budget round and was having to make cuts and savings as a result. He said: “We are showing our commitment to tourism by maintaining funding.”

• Opinion: page six