Business / More than 2,000 support campaign to transfer tourist office to STA
MORE than 2,000 people have now signed an online petition seeking support for the tourist office at Lerwick’s Market Cross to be transferred to Shetland Tourism Association (STA).
The popular and well-used tourist office is operated by VisitScotland and will close in November this year as part a move by the national tourism organisation to go fully digital.
Last month, to the surprise of many in the sector, the building at 107 Commercial Street was put on the market by its owner, Shetland Islands Council, for either sale or lease.
The council is asking for sale offers over £200,000 or lease offers over £20,000 per annum. The closing date is Thursday 15 August.
STA is now petitioning the council to allow the centre to be transferred to the local industry group as a new headquarters for tourism in Shetland.
More than 2,000 people have signed the online petition since it launched on Friday afternoon.
It reads: “The planned closure fails to recognise the invaluable human touch the centre provides – the warmth, knowledge, and recommendations from our local staff.
“The information centre is not merely a building where you can gather pamphlets. It is an embodiment of the very spirit of Shetland – welcoming, informative, and responsible.
“We need the centre to be put back to Shetland’s ownership and under new local management.
STA chair Amanda Hawick said committee members had phoned several councillors over recent weeks to gauge support.
She said the group had, so far, only received clear support from Ian Scott and Tom Morton with most councillors contacted either having not responded or not returned the calls yet.
Hawick said the STA has had internal discussions about the possibilities of a community takeover and has been advised of the lengthy timeline for this to happen.
“We are committed to find the best solution for taking over the Lerwick tourism office and continuing an excellent service as we currently have,” she said.
“We have submitted an application to the council for our proposals of leasing the tourism office.”
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