THE new owners of Skipton's Tourist Information Centre have reaffirmed their commitment to the town, despite "technical difficulties" over the deal.

Legal wranglings led to confusion over the future of the service this week, and the Herald received calls from worried residents who feared the town would no longer have a TIC.

Skipton Town Council has run the centre since 1985, and has placed an advert in this week's Craven Herald confirming that the TIC at 9 Sheep Street in Skipton would be closed from 5pm yesterday (Wednesday).

The Herald believes problems have arisen following a dispute involving staff from the centre.

And solicitor Justin Birch confirmed this week that employees from the original TIC had contacted him seeking legal advice.

Maureen Pearce, manager of the TIC, told the Herald: "We are devastated at the way we have been treated and we share everbody else's concern at the way this has been handled."

The new TIC is due to be opened today (Thursday) in Skipton's Craven Court as planned.

It will be run by Cullingworth public relations and marketing agency, The Jackson Partnership.

A spokesman for the company said: "Unfortunately due to technical difficulties, the agreed transfer of the TIC to us from Skipton Town Council was unable to proceed as planned. However, this has not affected our plans and the TIC will open its doors on schedule today (Thursday) in its new Craven Court premises.

"Due to the delays caused by technical difficulties, it is not expected that the TIC will be fully operational on this date, but every effort is being made to get fully on stream as quickly as possible.

"At the present time, we are looking to engage new staff and anyone interested in working within such an environment, should contact Alida Sunderland on 01535 275321."

Jean Jeffery, clerk to Skipton Town Council, said the new TIC would be a "completely separate" organisation.

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