Campaigners: 'Hunstanton needs manned tourist information centre in prominent location again'

More than 1,000 people have added their weight to calls to reinstate a staffed tourist information centre in Hunstanton.

Petitions have been eagerly signed in the hope that Hunstanton Town Council and West Norfolk Council can offer a better solution than the current arrangement of information leaflets and posters in the unmanned Coal Shed Gallery in Le Strange Terrace.

The tourist information centre in the town hall overlooking The Green was swiftly closed earlier this year, with the town council insisting it could not ensure social distancing. But campaigners say the coal shed, which is open every day between 10am and 4.30pm, cannot meet the needs of a busy coastal resort.

“We need a staffed service in a prominent location. The petition is for the benefit of businesses, residents and tourists alike,” said Amanda Bosworth, chair of Hunstanton and District Civic Society, which collected 500 signatures in just a few hours last Saturday.

A tourist information centre is mooted to be part of the proposed new library but Mrs Bosworth says the resort can ill afford to wait for potentially three years or more.

“I understand that the borough council was put in a difficult position but we think we could have a better solution. The Heritage Centre might be an option if they could fund a staff member or there’s room at the coal shed for a desk with a computer and a person.”

She added: “It’s the personal interaction that everyone is missing.”

The civic society surveyed 185 members and 106 businesses and there was an “overwhelming” call for change. It plans to meet borough council deputy leader Elizabeth Nockolds, whose responsibilities include culture and heritage.

King’s Lynn Tourist Information Centre handles all West Norfolk phone and email tourist enquiries.