SELLING Arnold House, the home of Corsham’s tourist information centre (TIC), will not affect tourism in the town, according to the town council.

After learning that the projected running costs for Arnold House in the High Street, which houses the TIC and two flats, could top £135,000 - councillors have agreed to sell the building as this surpasses their expected income levels.

Arnold House was left to the then-Corsham parish council in 1959 by Joan Pictor.

The council says tourists will still be able to find out what is going on locally as the town hall, Pound arts centre, hotels and pubs all have face-to-face helpers and have all the information and help people would need.

“Unfortunately this is a venture that we will not see a return on and it will not suit our needs and this will help free up our resources that can be used elsewhere for the benefit of Corsham,” said Corsham Town Council chief executive, David Martin.

“We will still have a TIC, that face-to-face presence and everything people will need spread out across the town. We have taken on the toilets from Wiltshire Council among other things so we just cannot afford it.

“The property is under-utilised and, as an old listed building, will require difficult and costly maintenance over the next five years. The current facilities used by the grounds team will not be suitable in the mid-term and alternative storage and welfare facilities are being sought.”

Not everyone agreed with the move: this week Humphry Barnikel, of High Street, said Arnold House's ground floor could be downsized or utilised as another flat for rent.

“This would be a very bad move for the town. Arnold House still has the potential to be an extremely useful asset,” he said.

“If any town is without a Tourist Information Centre, it is bound to affect tourism. It is also essential that the bureau should be as central as possible and for this Arnold House is ideal.”

Mr Martin said these options have been discussed and are not felt to be viable.

As part of the sale plan the council now intends to develop a plan for a temporary use of Arnold House which optimises the space available and generates revenue, while talking to residents, tenants and hirers.

A recent council meeting also decided that priorities for tourism development contained in the Strategic Plan (2014-18), Destination Management Plan and Destination Marketing Plan should be made a high priority.