The Romsey Visitor Information Centre will close, leading to staff layoffs as the building transitions to King John’s House for tourism enhancements
Romsey: The town is facing some changes. The Romsey Visitor Information Centre on Church Street is set to close. This news comes from TVBC, which confirmed the plans recently.
So, what’s happening next? The building will be taken over by King John’s House, turning it into the entrance for the museum. They’re still finalizing the details, though.
Interestingly, an independent review of tourism in Test Valley pointed out that more folks are planning their visits online. This means the way we attract visitors needs to change.
To adapt, the council plans to invest in digital marketing. They believe this will be a better way to draw people to Test Valley. The current visitor centre will become a new Tourist Information Point, hosted by King John’s House.
There will be nine of these TIP sites across Test Valley, located in existing businesses. They’ll help visitors with digital info and provide leaflets, making it easier for everyone.
Councillor Terese Swain mentioned that this move will help promote tourism more effectively throughout the borough. Plus, it’s a chance to support King John’s House and boost local tourism.
With the expansion, the museum will have a new entrance along Church Street, which should help increase foot traffic to Romsey Abbey and the museum itself.
In the past, the visitor centre sold tickets for local events, but those will now be available at the Former Magistrates Court.
Unfortunately, staff members were informed about their job losses only in December, which is tough news for them. TVBC noted that the visitor information centre is managed by Tourism South East, with a contract running until March 31.
Both King John’s House and Tourism South East have been asked for comments on this situation.
