NEW plans have emerged for tourist information provision in two popular market towns after the council agreed to support the creation of more visitor services than originally planned.

The move to help create several smaller visitor information points in Richmond and Leyburn comes as Richmondshire District Council’s planning committee prepares to discuss plans to change the current Richmond tourist information centre (TIC) into a cafe.

The TICs in Richmond and Leyburn were earmarked for closure earlier this year after funding was withdrawn as part of a range of budget cuts.

At the time the council agreed to focus on creation of one alternative tourist information point in each town, while at the same time allowing other businesses or organisations to open TIPs independently.

However, following elections in May, the new leader of the council, John Blackie, announced that the council would support any group or business that came forward to run a TIP, which have now been renamed visitor information points, or VIPs.

Seven organisations have come forward in Richmond and two in Leyburn to open VIPs, which will all be up and running at the end of the month.

As a result, the TIC in Richmond will close on July 30, even though the future of the building, which was due to host the main VIP, is yet to be determined.

The seven VIPs in Richmond will be at the Richmondshire Museum, Castle Hill Bookshop, St Theresa’s charity shop, The Buck Inn, The Station, the Georgian Theatre and Richmond Castle.

The new VIP in Leyburn, based at the Dales Haven B&B, has proved to be a success and will now be supported by VIPs at the Wensleydale Railway and St Theresa’s charity shop.

Simon Fletcher, assistant director at the council, said: "When we closed the TIC in Leyburn we distributed materials and leaflets that were left over to the new VIPs, which will happen in Richmond.

"In supporting the creation of VIPs we have a member of staff from the council who has been working with the organisations and giving advice on how they can get up and running and what visitors need.

"We will work with the new VIPs until they are happy and confident with their set up."

The planning application to change the current Richmond TIC into a cafe with a VIP inside has proved contentious because of a proposal to create a small seating area outside the building, which overlooks the town’s war memorial.

The planning committee will be asked to determine a change of use application, changes to the interior layout of the building and the plans for the outside space.

More than 40 individual objections have been made to planners on a number of grounds, including fears of detriment to the gardens, other businesses and the tourist provision.

The town council has also objected to the plans, but they have been supported by the Richmond Business and Tourism Association.

The planning committee will meet in the Main Hall of Richmond Lower School tomorrow at 6.30pm.