Support for Corsham Heritage Centre campaign grows

         The campaign to save Corsham Heritage Centre has received a further boost.

        Both the Chamber of Commerce and the Corsham Civic Society members have voted overwhelmingly to support the window poster and public petition in the town.

         “Over 400 members of the public have signed the petition already and support is growing by the day”, said Peter Tapscott, chairman of the Civic Society.

         There is a strong feeling in the town that the proposal from the Town Council to separate the Tourist Information service and the Heritage Centre is seriously flawed and threatens the future of the Heritage Centre.

         “More than 20,000 people visit the centre each year”, commented Ian Storey, President of Corsham Chamber of Commerce.

        “The value of UK tourist spend in Corsham is estimated at more than £500,000 per year and the Chamber feels that the town should be concentrating on boosting the benefit to the local economy instead of  running down the service.”

         The Chamber and the Civic Society have combined forces to propose a Development Trust Company to operate the facility at a reduced annual cost of £30,000, following a decision by North Wiltshire District Council to reduce its £57,000 financial support over the next 3 years.

        The Town Council, who act as landlords for Arnold House where the Centre is based, have rejected the idea of working together in a Development Trust and have proposed that only they should operate a slimmed down tourist information service from the Town Hall, leaving the Heritage Centre without any external income.

        Peter Tapscott added: “Arnold House was gifted  to the people of Corsham for their benefit by a member of the Pictor stone mining family and the importance of that industry in the history of Corsham is demonstrated in the Stone Room display that residents, visitors and schoolchildren can see today.”

        “The Civic Society has a growing and valuable collection of local historical papers and artefacts which could be added to the Heritage displays but our hopes are frustrated by the Town Council’s refusal to discuss the proposal with us.”

         Ian Storey said: “Not only has the Town Council refused to meet with us as interested Corsham residents and as representatives of two organisations involved with local business and heritage, but the Council’s proposal requests the injection of at least another £30,000 from North Wiltshire District Council.”

        “This follows some £50,000 spent by the District Council on Arnold House when the Tourist Information & Heritage Centre was opened in 2000.”

         The Town Council holds its annual town meeting on Thursday 20 April at 7.30pm when local residents should be able to express their feelings.

 ENDS