INFORMATION for Penzance's visitors could be provided through a ground-breaking partnership between the local tourism association and the National Trust.

The Penzance Tourist Information Centre (TIC) closed at the end of May after Cornwall Council pulled the plug on £250,000 of funding for the county's offices.

Andy Curtis, chairman of the Penzance and District Tourism Association (PDTA), has been involved in the early talks with the National Trust about reopening the TIC as a partnership between the two organisations.

He says he is speaking out now as there has been "concern and speculation about the fate of the now defunct TIC".

"Negotiations are still at an early stage but are very positive," he said. "We all have the same goal and just need to find a means to fulfil that in a way that is mutually beneficial.

Reputation

"The National Trust as a brand has an exemplary, world-wide reputation and it would be a privilege to be involved in a combined project with them.

"The concept we are developing is new; the style will be totally original, a fusion of the best of both organisations – new and modern but with its roots firmly established in the history of Cornwall."

The team involved in compiling a business case includes Mr Curtis, Penwith community network manager Sally Newby, Ian Marsh, trust general manager, Helen Turner (trust house and visitors service manager), Arnaud Ruetsch, the PDTA vice- chairman) and Penzance town councillor Mike Lovegrove.

Mr Curtis credits Sally Newby in particular for the idea of bringing the PDTA and the National Trust together to produce what he feels would be a brand new type of tourism centre.

"It makes prefect sense for the National Trust to combine forces with the local tourism association to manage a tourism centre using local contacts and members to promote all the facilities in the Penzance area," he said.

Goodwill

"Exactly how it could or would work is still at the discussion and development stage, but with the abundance of goodwill being shown towards the project it should be positive news for Penzance."

Two weeks ago, The Cornishman reported on the reopening of the St Ives visitor centre, which will be run by the town council and which will be open seven days a week in summer.

Visit Cornwall, the tourism service of the Cornwall Development Company, has put out a "last call" for businesses and groups interested in running a TIC service in both Falmouth and Penzance.

Interested parties were asked to submit an expression of interest by Saturday.

Mr Curtis said he could not give a timescale of when the Penzance TIC might reopen.