THE Tourist Information Centre in Skipton looks set to become a private business -- if a suitable buyer can be found.

The town council has run and subsidised the valuable service for around 15 years and feels the time is right to put it up for tender.

For many visitors to Craven and the Dales the Sheep Street centre is their first port of call, and has accordingly become an increasingly professional outfit in recent years, introducing a National Express booking agency last year.

The public relations, tourism and arts committee has recommended that the full council approve the plans and members were last night (Thursday) expected to give the thumbs-up.

A two-month period is likely to be set, during which time the business will be advertised and any forthcoming bidders will submit their proposals.

The TIC manager Maureen Pearce said: "The centre has been under the town council for 15 years and I have mixed feelings about things changing.

"My prime concern is hat whoever takes it on realises that they need to keep the identity of Skipton and Craven intact.

"The centre has to be very much the shop front for the area as for many visitors it is the first port of call.

"There's no reason to think that it won't continue to be, but this could be a complete change and a new direction and whether I am involved in it or not I hope it will be a success."

Several years ago Richmondshire District Council put up two of its information centres for tender but didn't get suitable bidders and ended up ploughing further investment into the facilities.

Chairman of Skipton Council's tourism committee, John Spencer, said: "There may not be any companies or individuals who feel they have the expertise or resources to run a tourist information centre, but we have to try to raise interest.

"I have suggested that we need to get to know what potential bidders are out there by the end of September.

"Any takers would have to get any information they need from the town clerk's office on Sheep Street.

"We think it's time to try this because the town council has subsidised it for all these years. Giving out information doesn't make a profit so we are looking for someone with expertise to make it work."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.