PETERSFIELD tourist information centre bosses have said a big thank you to their supporters. The popular centre was under threat of closure before being reprieved in a shake-up of regional services last week. And tourist bosses threw open the doors of the tourist centre, based in Petersfield library off The Square, to thank the people who have supported the centre over the past 12 months. Accommodation and tourist attraction bosses, as well as district and town councillors, were invited last Thursday – and saw first hand the excellent services on offer. East Hampshire District Council had recently ordered a reshuffle of the regional offices and the Petersfield office had been under threat, but news came last week that the branch would survive. Petersfield centre manager Penny Young said: "I am delighted from the Petersfield point of view that Petersfield tourist information centre is remaining open. "Through our open day, we were promoting the centre and the services it offers." On average, the office deals with up to 600 queries a week. As well as information on services and accommodation available in the Petersfield area, the centre also supplies maps and brochures for towns and cities all over the UK. They also sell tickets for many local events, including the upcoming Winton Players pantomime Humpty Dumpty, concerts such as the Bootleg Blues Brothers, and theatre tokens. A selection of cards, some made by local artists, and other gifts produced in the area are also available at the busy centre. Meanwhile, Petersfield tourist information centre will act as a 'hub' for tourism activity across the district in the wake of the East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) services shake-up. Managed on behalf of EHDC by Tourism South East, Petersfield's tourist information centre which will deal with complicated enquiries and disperse up- to-date information to the various district networks.
