Tourism gets a boost (From Somerset County Gazette)

Tourism gets a boost

8:06pm Friday 20th July 2007 in News By Chris Alder

TOURISM in West Somerset has been given a massive cash injection, to build a new state-of-the-art tourist centre on Minehead seafront.

West Somerset Council announced yesterday, Thursday, it had secured £203,193 of European regional development funding for a new visitor information and interpretation centre complete with high technology interactive touch-screen displays, designed to attract more visitors to the district.

Cllr Michael Downes, responsible for economic development and tourism, said: "Minehead's existing tourist information centre in Friday Street is away from the main tourist area.

"It's in a small building that is unfit for modern tourism purposes so we're delighted that we've been able to secure funding for a new centre in a prominent position with easy access for tourists.

"The centre will promote Minehead, and the whole of West Somerset and Exmoor. "This development is great news for the district's tourism which will, in turn, provide a welcome boost to the local economy."

The new centre will be built on a site at Warren Road, opposite the seafront.

The area is currently landscaped open space which was transferred to West Somerset Council under a planning agreement when approval was granted for the adjacent residential development. A total of £20,000 has been allotted for the technology necessary for the interactive interpretation facilities.