BRISTOL PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF ITS NEW TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Monday, 18th January 2010
A brand new Tourist Information Centre in the heart of Bristol opened its doors for the first time on Saturday, 16th January 2010.
The long-awaited centre is designed to meet the information needs of visitors and local people and also houses a unique drop-in information point for the University of the West of England (UWE).
The new information centre is located in E-Shed, next to the Watershed Media Centre, on Bristol’s historic Harbourside. It has been completely refurbished to a bespoke design and sets a new benchmark in the quality of the experience it provides for visitors to the city.
The range of services offered includes accommodation bookings, the sale of tickets for events and visitor attractions, a wide selection of gifts, souvenirs, maps and travel guides, plus general advice and assistance on how to make the most of visiting, living in or travelling around Bristol.
A series of screens, provided by Bristol City Council’s Transport team, provides up to the minute travel information. A wide range of relevant travel leaflets and timetables are also available. One wall of the new TIC has been converted into a gallery for the work of local artists, who are displaying and offering their art for sale through a partnership with Spike Print Studio.
Councillor Barbara Janke, leader of Bristol City Council and co-chair of the Destination Bristol Board said: “Bristol has long been deserving of a great tourist centre. We now have a brand new, dedicated space that will provide a truly first-class visitor experience. I am delighted that the centre is now open and will benefit not just those visiting Bristol, but residents as well.”
John Hirst, operations director with Destination Bristol, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming in 2010 with a spacious, brand new, purpose built tourist information centre. The location is superb. The centre’s manager, Michaela Norris, and her team are buzzing with excitement and are raring to go.”
Creation of the new centre has been led by Destination Bristol in partnership with the Watershed, with support from South West Regional Development Agency and other key partners, including UWE and Bristol City Council.
Dick Penny, managing director of the Watershed, said: “It’s fantastic to see new life being breathed into E-Shed. We’re really excited about helping to promote Bristol. We really hope that lots of local people, as well as those from further afield, will pay a visit, to remind them of just how much there is to see and do here in our great city.”
The new centre is open seven days a week, between 10:00 and 17:00 during the winter months. The team can be contacted on 0333 321 0101, with full information about where to go and what do when in Bristol available at www.visitbristol.co.uk.
