Plans to relocate Gloucester Tourist Information Centre

By Leigh Boobyer – Local Democracy Reporter

Tourists visiting Gloucester may have to get information about the city in a new place under new council plans.

Gloucester’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) on Southgate Street could be re-located because tourists have been searching online for details rather than walking into the city centre branch.

The TIC saw 25,469 fewer people visit the shop last year than they did three years ago, according to a council document.

People are instead buying tickets for events in Gloucester online, getting advice from the customer services desk at Gloucester Quays, and are expected to buy bus tickets at the new bus station.

Because of this, the council are considering moving the TIC to either the Museum of Gloucester or Gloucester Guildhall.

A council document, which the overview and scrutiny committee will debate next week, said the decline in footfall “reflects a changing rather than struggling or failing service”.

The authority predicts it will save almost £38,000 in finding a new location for the centre.

Gloucester’s TIC has been located at 28 Southgate Street since 1997.

The council’s scrutiny committee will question the move at next week’s meeting on October 29, from 6:30pm.