North Norfolk Cromer visitor centre an 'unfortunate luxury'

Members of North Norfolk District Council's overview and scrutiny committee have agreed  the North Norfolk Visitor Centre in Cromer should close to make £129,321 in savings. 

The idea gained widespread support, with many noting that tourists can get all the information they need online or from other locations like cafés and B&Bs. 

Liz Withington, cabinet member for Community, Leisure & Outreach (Image: Newsquest)

It comes as the Liberal Democrat-controlled authority faces "unprecedented times" according to Liz Withington, cabinet member for community, leisure and outreach. 

Cllr Withington has blamed the council losing 30pc of its core funding over the last decade for the need to make the closure. It comes alongside a raft of cuts and savings planned to plug a £1.8m deficit.

"We now need to make service cuts," she told members.

While other cost-saving measures, such as the plan to fully or partially close 40pc of public toilets across the district, have been met with significant backlash; closing the tourism centre was seen as a sensible move.

Christopher Cushing, leader of the Conservative group at North Norfolk District Council (Image: Newsquest)

Christopher Cushing, leader of the Conservative group, said: "This is an unfortunate luxury we can no longer afford."

He called for the council to look at other opportunities to monetise the facility, which is located in the Meadow Car Park in Cromer.

It receives about 83,000 visitors a year out of the 9.4m tourists who come to the district annually.

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Cromer Pier and seafront (Image: Newsquest)

The closure will mean a permanent Deep History Coast exhibit at the site will have to be moved, with councillors suggesting it could be rehomed in a local museum.

It was also proposed that digital information boards could be explored in partnership with local businesses, to continue to offer some tourist information provision in the town and wider district.

Following the meeting, the council's cabinet members will consider the overview and scrutiny committee's recommendations before making a final decision later this year.