£200k losses at Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre but no jobs risk
A tourist attraction designed to showcase the Shropshire hills lost up to £200,000 in the last year, according to new figures released today.
The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms received more than £400,000 of council cash in 2011/12 while generating an income of £200,000.
Council bosses say the immediate future of the centre is not in doubt but have now called in consultants to try to boost visitor numbers.
The centre, which has a grass roof and opened in 2001, was told to find £100,000 savings last year.
A consultation process on how to cut costs has begun and the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday at 10am.
A report says use of the centre's library is down and receipts from spring and summer exhibitions are also under target. Takings in the cafe are also lower than expected. Bosses say the poor summer weather and the economic climate have been contributing factors.
Board chairman Councillor Cecilia Motley said: "We are working to find a clear and sustainable way forward for the centre. In order to take ideas forward external consultants, Rubus, are running a number of workshops with us to develop new ideas and approaches.
"Once the advisory board has had an opportunity to consider all the contributions to the consultation it hopes to confirm in outline an approach to sustaining and growing the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre."
