TOURISTS will have one point of call in Great Dunmow after funding was agreed for a new tourist information centre. From the end of April, half of the Banana Travel shop in Market Place will become an information point for people seeking places to visit o

TOURISTS will have one point of call in Great Dunmow after funding was agreed for a new tourist information centre.

From the end of April, half of the Banana Travel shop in Market Place will become an information point for people seeking places to visit or stay, as well as for local events and entertainment.

Dunmow town councillor, Frank Silver, has been working on the project for almost a year with the support of Banana Travel owner Neil Henderson.

Mr Silver said: "Although these things take time, it is fantastic that we have such a facility right in the heart of the town.

"It should boost tourism in Dunmow and hopefully get the public interested in the many things to see and do here."

The centre will cost around �3000 a year to run, including �2000 rent, and volunteers will be recruited to man the desks.

To effectively assess effectiveness and costs, the centre will be reviewed after 12 months.

"We think this will be very successful and the centre is exactly what the town needs. It will give the whole High Street a much-needed boost," added Mr Silver.

The town council has already begun the search for volunteers and a handful of people have expressed an interest.

Town clerk Owen Wilson said that the council has managed to put in place a professional office at a fraction of the cost.

He said: "Refurbishments at the Saffron Walden centre have cost in the region of �50,000. So for our council to produce something like this at a fraction of the cost is remarkable.

"We are really looking forward to officially opening the centre and seeing it become a success for years to come."

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