Bury St Edmunds: Cathedral to be part of town’s tourist information network

St Edmundsbury Cathedral will be part of the network of advice points which are being created across the town to replace the Tourist Information Centre (TIC).

And this week Bury St Edmunds Town Council agreed tourist information could also be available at the town council offices in Angel Hill, initially for a three-month trial.

At the end of this month, the Apex music and entertainment venue will become the town’s main tourist information point. Cathedral administrator Justine Horseman Sewell, said: “We already welcome tens of thousands of visitors every year and we’re very excited at being able to develop our service to the community. This is a natural extension of the role we already provide.

“Bury St Edmunds has so much to offer visitors and we’ll be looking to recruit a team of volunteers who will be proud to tell people about what we have to offer.

“We’d be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to be one of these ambassadors for the town.”

The cathedral information point, in a unit next to its existing gift shop, will be open seven days a week, probably between 11am-3pm.

The town council is looking to offer a service either side of these hours which will involve leaflets and information to be provided from a manual supplied by the borough council.

Other attractions providing tourist advice will include Moyse’s Hall Museum, the Theatre Royal and Smiths Row gallery.

Sarah Stamp, borough council cabinet member with responsibility for operational tourism, said: “Visitors increasingly use their smart phones to get information, or research their trips on the internet before they arrive, but there is still a place for face-to-face advice and everyone appreciates a smile and a warm welcome.

“Tourism is very important to the local economy and our new-look service will support many more businesses and open up opportunities for others.”

To become a tourism volunteer at the cathedral contact Sarah Friswell on 01284 748726.