16 August 2007
Paisley Travel Centre moves to improve information service
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is joining forces with VisitScotland to create a new one-stop shop for tourism and travel information in Paisley.
SPT’s Paisley Travel Centre will be relocated at the beginning of October from its current premises on Causeyside Street to the VisitScotland tourist information centre on Gilmour Street.
By bringing the services together, the new centre will expand and simplify the range of services available to customers and improve the efficiency of enquiries for visitors.
Announcing the move, Chair of SPT, Councillor Alistair Watson said, “This is a hugely positive move which I’m delighted about. It will create a one-stop shop for tourism and travel enquiries in a newly refurbished office in the centre of Paisley. I hope members of the public will enjoy the new joint facility.”
The decision to combine travel and tourism information services was taken by SPT and VisitScotland earlier this month in consultation with Renfrewshire Council. The move will not involve any changes to staff numbers - the three current travel centre staff members will simply be relocated to the new premises to join the three VisitScotland staff.
VisitScotland area director for Greater Glasgow, Tom McWilliam said: “We are committed to providing the best possible services for the promotion and development of tourism that will benefit visitors, residents and local tourism businesses. This partnership with SPT is great news for everyone, and especially for visitors to Paisley, who will now visit a centre offering one of the best range of services in the country, all in one place.”
Councillor Derek Mackay, leader of Renfrewshire Council said: “We are very pleased that we’ve managed to bring these two crucial visitor services together in a win-win situation for Paisley. This move marks the start of an exciting new era for the town centre that will have benefits for residents and improve the experience for visitors.”
The remaining 15 years on SPT’s lease at Causeyside Street has been bought out by the landlord and SPT has received an additional £20,000 settlement.
This money will be put straight into refurbishing the new premises once the move has taken place in October. SPT will undertake a £25,000 makeover of the new office, with additional contributions from VisitScotland.
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