Agenda item

Following the unforeseen closure of the Look and Sea Centre on 31st August 2018, alternative locations in Littlehampton, as sources of Visitor Information for the town and the surrounding area, have been arranged and set in place with local businesses and organisations. This report provides an overview of the new arrangements, progress to date and evolving plans.

The Sub-Committee received a report updating Members on the sources of Visitor Information provision within the Town since the closure of the Look and Sea Centre on 31 August 2018. 

 Since the Council made the decision to not provide a staffed VIC in the Look & Sea, the Council had been charged to explore alternative ways to provide a physical VIC presence in the Town, in addition to the existing information sources such as the Sussex by the Sea website; social media; the printed visitor guide; and a destination marketing and promotion facility. 

Members were updated on work that had been undertaken to date.  It had been decided to work with a variety of existing local businesses and organisations in various locations such as the Town Centre; riverside, seafront and West Beach.  The Tourism Officer confirmed that nine businesses/organisations had agreed to host information in the form of tourist information leaflets and event posters and that volunteers/staff could also assist with visitor enquiries. These new partner businesses were known as Littlehampton Local Visitor Information Points (LLVIPs) and their locations had been set out within the report.  They had already reported the benefit of LLVIPS in terms of experiencing an increased footfall from visitors entering their premises.  To date this had been reported as being a positive experience.

            Varying questions were raised by the Sub-Committee.  Offices were asked to explore providing additional LLVIPS in new locations.  Littlehampton Railway Station was seen to be an obvious choice.  It was explained that work was ongoing and that there was a space capacity issue to overcome first in terms of where to display leaflets in obvious places like the waiting room area or ticket office and/or refreshment area which were all open at different times.  Members asked whether, as part of the ongoing negotiations, if it would be possible to explore providing an electronic screen in the station as this had been successfully trialled last year at Bognor Regis and seemed to be the most efficient and effective way of advertising Town events and Town issues.   The Littlehampton Harbour Board, which had plenty of downstairs space was also highlighted as a possible and appropriate LLVIP venue for Officers to explore taking into consideration its prime location on the Riverside Walkway.  The Tourism Officer explained that the Harbour Board Office was already included in the nine LLVIP locations.  The new Littlehampton Wave was also identified as a ‘must have’ location.

Discussion then turned to the Sussex by the Sea website and the issues that had been raised at the last meeting of the Sub-Committee in June 2019.  There were concerns that visitors might not easily associate this link to finding events and attractions in the District. The Group Head of Economy responded stating that this fact had been recognised and that a review would be taking place as the web site was dated and needed a refresh.   Officers were looking at a range of tools as part of this review which would revamp the website completely.  In view of the interest from Members on what would form the review, it was agreed that an update would be provided to the Sub-Committee’s next meeting. 

            The Sub-Committee then noted the content of the report and the updates provided at the meeting.