A different view for Chesterfield Tourism Centre
Chesterfield Borough Council has given approval for a revamp of its award-winning Tourist Information Centre (TIC). The refurbishment which will be carried in February is one of a number of projects by Destination Chesterfield to update key gateways into the town. The revamp will give the Centre a more vibrant, modern and customer-friendly location that showcases Chesterfield at its very best.
Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield said “The impression we give visitors when they arrive in Chesterfield is vital. The objective of our Warm Welcome Campaign is to improve the arrival at key gateways into the town.”
The £40,000 funding for the refurbishment of the centre and Destination Chesterfield’s other gateway improvements is from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Cllr Nick Stringer, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Chesterfield Borough Council said: “So many people use the Centre every year, but the building is looking somewhat tired inside so we’re pleased to work with Destination Chesterfield to use this ERDF money to bring the Centre up to date and create something that will set a high standard for the rest of their stay in Chesterfield.”
Local agency and Chesterfield Champion, Crush Design, were appointed to manage the project and have created a striking new look for the Centre that embraces the new visual identity for Chesterfield.
Natalie Brammer at Crush Design said: “It’s been a really interesting project to work on as there are so many different aspects to the TIC. Making the design and functionality work together has been a challenge but we’re delighted with the final look.”
The revamp will also introduce a new feature to the exterior of the building which will tell a short story about four famous people associated with Chesterfield and will include George Stephenson, Gordon Banks, Lady Baden-Powell and Bess of Hardwick.
The TIC welcomed 155,841 visitors in 2011, an increase of over 12,000 from 2010. The Centre has won the English Tourist Board’s National England for Excellence Awards in 2005 and 2009 and 95% of people interviewed in a customer satisfaction survey last year thought that the service offered was either good or excellent.
Source:Chesterfield Borough Council