New home for Abergavenny tourism centre

The centre, which was based next to the bus station for 23 years until its closure earlier this month, re-opened a short distance away in the Tithe Barn, Monk Street in time for the half-term holiday.

The service had faced an uncertain future when Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, which ran the service with Monmouthshire council, decided to close the building as part of its budget savings.

The county council contributes £35,000 a year towards the service on top of utilities and maintenance but could not make up the shortfall. Abergavenny Town Council stepped in and agreed to contribute £11,500 towards the running costs and St Mary’s Priory Development Trust, which owns the Tithe Barn, offered space within the building.

It is now run in partnership with the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Abergavenny Town Council and Monmouthshire council and will open to visitors between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday until November when hours are reduced during winter. It is also expected to open on Sunday’s during the summer holidays.

Wayne Lewis, commercial manager for Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said: “We are grateful to our partners for their continued commitment to retaining a Tourist Information Centre in Abergavenny this year.”

Fr Mark Soady, vicar of St Mary’s Priory Church said: “We welcome the opportunity to give the service a home as tourism is so much a part of economy of Abergavenny and this is a way in which we can help the wider community.”

Monmouthshire Councillor Bob Greenland, cabinet member with responsibility for tourism said: “We are delighted that we’re working with our partners in Abergavenny to continue to offer excellent visitor information services in the fantastic surroundings of a new home at The Tithe Barn.”

Abergavenny Town council said it is pleased it was able to support the need for the service in the town and that it will monitor its progress over the next few months to try to ensure that it is successful.