Charity to offer information point in new office

The centre, in the Market Place, closed in September 2011 when Wiltshire Council decided to invest money into a county-wide tourism initiative.

Age UK Wiltshire is going to be moving from its office in the Market Place across the road to the former Devizes Visitor Centre in May and Devizes Area Board was told that it has agreed to accommodate a travel desk.

Since the closure of Devizes Visitor Centre various outlets have stocked bus and tourist information leaflets. These include Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre and Wiltshire Heritage Museum.

Devizes Passengers had a travel information desk at the former Scrummylicious café, on the corner of the Market Place and Snuff Street, but this closed in November.

Jasper Selwyn, chairman of Devizes Passengers, said: “We are thrilled. Hopefully it’s a long-term solution. Last summer it worked really well in Scrummylicious and there were as many timetables being taken from there as were taken from Devizes Visitor Centre. Age UK Wiltshire are very much in favour of doing this as a public service. There is a wonderful irony that the building will have some of the tourism services it used to have.”

Tony Sedgwick, chairman of Devizes Community Area Partnership (DCAP), said: “It is a real boost for the travel group of DCAP who have been desperately trying get information packs out to people. It’s an ideal place for people to go and get information as it is central. We are very grateful to Age UK for making it available.”

Devizes Mayor Kelvin Nash said: “The former Visitor Centre is the perfect place for bus and tourism information; it’s central and visible. The Visitor Centre has been missed by many people.”

Mike Weston, chairman of Age UK Wiltshire and who lives in Devizes, said: “The building is known for that purpose and it would be good to provide some information and bus timetables.”

He said Age UK Wiltshire was moving from its current premises as its lease is coming to an end.