The bay's information services get a boost

Information services for Herne Bay's visitors and residents were improved last week when the town's two visitor information centres combined into one, at the Bandstand. By closing the William Street centre and concentrating its resources on one centre, at the Bandstand, the city council can provide a much higher standard of service.

The Bandstand centre will now be known as the Herne Bay Information Centre due to its popularity with local people as well as visitors. The Bandstand provides a bigger space for customers and there is now a specially designed desk to allow customers and staff to sit down when buying National Express coach tickets. This is a very popular service, as the centre is the only sales outlet in the town.

The information centres have always been busy with visitors in the summer and with the Bandstand situated on the seafront, it will offer them the best possible service. A new computer system – known as a Destination Management System – has also been installed at the Bandstand, which provides staff with quick and up-to-date information on attractions and accommodation. In addition, a public access terminal will be set up shortly, which will offer information 24 hours a day.

Other plans for the centre's future include updating the information panels, launching a new range of retail products, some redecoration and additional storage space to allow tourism brochures from other destinations to be displayed. City council joint executive member for policy and communications, Cllr Ron Pepper, said:

"The decision to combine the two information centres was taken following an in-depth review into the service we offered Herne Bay's visitors and residents. We felt that we could offer a higher quality service with the one centre and that it was best to have it on the seafront, one of the busiest areas of the town. The information centre has always been just as popular with local people as visitors. We've renamed it to reflect that popularity and hope that everyone will like the new look to information services in Herne Bay."

CCC website 1st July 2002