Trial visitor centre opened in summer

Your correspondent Stephen Chesworth asked about Bath’s visitor information centre.

I’m pleased to share that, over the summer, the Bath Business Improvement District (BID) created a trial visitor information centre in York Street.

This was a fantastic initiative by the BID, which gives a focal point for visitors to pick up free maps and directions.

This pop-up offering complements Visit Bath’s comprehensive online service, which is accessed by many visitors, and builds on the work of the brilliant Welcome Ambassadors.

We should all applaud these dedicated, local volunteers who give up their own time to get out and about around Bath, meeting and giving personal assistance to visitors.

Bath BID and the Council cooperate on so many issues which are vitally important for the life and livelihood of Bath.

From keeping our city safe and clean, to putting on special events, such as the Christmas lights switch-on, and much more, the BID and Council work together for the success of the city.

Visitors to Bath have a further option to obtain information about Bath’s history and heritage at the new Bath World Heritage Centre – opened by the Council in May this year.

This free exhibit is also located in the newly refurbished York Street and includes interactive exhibits and displays designed to inspire, excite and inform.

There are also free walking trails and guides to help visitors to the city explore all it has to offer.

The new Heritage Centre and new attractions opened this year at the Roman Baths (which had its busiest four days since before the pandemic over Easter) are particularly relevant this year as the city gained a second UNESCO listing this year, as one of the ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’ and is the only UK city to appear twice on the World Heritage List

Bath’s previous visitor information centre was operated by Visit Bath – a Council-owned company, which built up a £588,000 deficit under the mismanagement of the previous, Conservative Council administration.

This deficit, combined with the devastating impact of the pandemic on the visitor economy and local authority finances, made it impossible for the Council to continue subsidising a loss-making company.

The Lib Dem administration took prudent action to tackle this long-standing problem.

We are ambitious for Bath and we acted decisively to protect the unique ‘Visit Bath’ brand and put tourism management arrangements on a stable financial footing for the future.

Cllr Kevin Guy Leader of B&NES Council