TOURIST ATTRACTIONS TO BE CLOSED?

2.35.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Jul 2007

Liberal Democrat Councillors Colin Charlwood (Shiphay with the Willows) and Roger Stringer (Watcombe) have tabled questions for the next Full Council (26 July), asking the Cabinet member Jeanette Richards if the Conservative administration will be bringing forward proposals to close the pitch and putt and the Palmhouse near Torre Abbey in Torquay.

Proposals to close the attractions surfaced at a meeting of the Torre Abbey Steering Group.

Councillor Charlwood said: "At a time when the Council is supposedly trying to promote Torbay as a quality tourist attraction, it seems strange that the Conservatives should be wanting to shut down two very popular attractions. With competition from other areas in Britain, and in these days of cheap flights, the Council should be doing all it can to promote tourism, not the opposite."

Councillor Stringer said: "I know that there is an issue over the golf balls in the pitch and putt going out of their area, but I am sure there is a better solution than simply closing these attractions. After all, the pitch and putt makes money. The Conservative administration needs to think outside the box a bit more. These attractions need to stay open, and the Liberal Democrats will be campaigning to make sure they are."

Ends