A PLAN to provide refreshments at Thirsk's major tourist attraction, The World of James Herriot, will seriously damage other outlets in the market town, it was claimed this week.

Thirsk Chamber of Trade has written to the chief executive of Hambleton District Council protesting at a decision to provide a trolley refreshment service at the centre.

"The first we knew of this was when we read it in the D&S Times," said chairman Don Moore at this week's chamber meeting. "There has been no consultation with either us, the town council or ward representatives.

"This will have a very adverse effect on the town in general. The centre brings in large volumes of people. Providing refreshments will deprive town centre businesses of a huge chunk of business.

"Local businesses are already heavily burdened with high rates and rents, so this venture could have serious repercussions."

The chamber also claims that the council is going back on its word when the centre was first mooted that no catering would be provided at the centre.

"We are in total opposition to this move. Local businesses rely on providing refreshments to maintain their staffing levels, whilst this proposal will very possibly mean that centre visitors will not visit the town centre, but fill in their time at the centre to the detriment of town businesses."

The chamber had fought very hard to have the Millgate coach park restrictions changed from a two-hour limit to a four-hour to allow visitors to the centre time to visit the town following their tour.

David Shields, Hambleton council's head of tourism, was at the meeting. He said that the idea of providing refreshments had arisen as a result of a questionnaire handed to visitors asking what they thought would enhance their visit.

"Several ideas were suggested, including an audio guide and a proper caf. Refreshments were high on the list. All the ideas have been looked at and the provision of trolley refreshments on a trial basis was recommended to cabinet by officers."

The centre would only be providing a trolley service from an outside caterer for a three-month trial period, he said.

Coun Freda Roberts said many local organisations would also lose out if the plan went ahead.

"I sit in at St Mary's Church on a Wednesday and many visitors who come here from the Herriot Centre always ask where they can get a cuppa in the half hour they have left to spare. They put money in our collection box and then go into town for refreshments, so we will all lose out."

Mr Shields said that after the three month period there would perhaps be the chance for local organisations to provide the refreshment service.

Ward representative Coun Steve Hubbard said he had spoken to chief executive, Peter Simpson, who had offered to attend a meeting or send along one of his senior officers, to discuss the matter.

This offer will be accepted.