A FURIOUS row has broken out over the shock closure of Otley's Tourist Information Office.

Angry residents have swamped councillors with complaints about the sudden and unexpected closure of the Boroughgate office.

And councillors are angry that they were not even consulted about the closure or the possible relocation of the office to the already over-stretched library.

Council chiefs have refused to comment and will not even confirm or deny whether the closure is temporary or that the office will be moved.

Councillor Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley and Wharfedale) said people were as angry about the tourist office as they had been about the hugely controversial 'Welcome to Leeds' signs at the entrances to Otley.

"Following hard on the heels of the ridiculous saga about signs describing Otley as Leeds, this latest gesture by the council shows a complete lack of understanding about the needs of local towns and communities.

"As a ward member I have not been consulted about the closure in advance. Indeed I was merely informed that the centre has closed and that it might - not that it will - reopen in the library.

"Even if it does re-open there, the library has insufficient space for its existing purpose, let alone for the important services provided by the tourist information centre."

Coun Kirkland said he had written to Denise Preston, acting director of leisure services, asking exactly what was planned for the future and what local plans to provide a service had been made for the time being.

He said: "With the approach of the main tourist season it is vital for the local economy in Otley that a proper information service for tourists be maintained."

He added that he believed that the council was refusing to comment about the tourist office because it feared another public relations disaster similar to that with the Welcome to Leeds signs.

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