Press release -
Information Centre move following fire
The devastating fire at the Old Royal Station in Ballater has left VisitScotland Information Centre staff without premises but from today (Friday 15th May), they’ll move across the road to the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) offices.
The CNPA is giving the organisation a temporary home as discussions begin with regards to a longer term solution.
Grant Moir, CNPA chief executive said: “The fire at the Old Royal Station is devastating for the whole community. It was an iconic building in the heart of Royal Deeside and we are shocked by what has happened. However, life and business have to continue and we are happy to make space for the Ballater VisitScotland Information Centre staff who will join a small Park Authority and Marr Area Partnership team.”
Philip Smith, VisitScotland Regional Director said:“We are immensely grateful to the Cairngorms National Park Authority staff for their generous offer of accommodation, following the devastating fire which significantly damaged the Old Royal Station in Ballater, which housed the railway museum, restaurant, shops and our VisitScotland Information Centre.
“This will mean that from today that our Information Centre staff will be on hand in the CNPA offices, opposite our previous location, to provide information to visitors. The information service will be available from 2pm – 4pm today and then 10am – 5pm daily from tomorrow (Saturday 16th May). All phone calls and emails will be diverted to this temporary location.
“Unfortunately, at this time we will be unable to offer a retail, ticketing and booking service from the CNPA office, but will be signposting to the nearby Braemar Information Centre where this is required.
“With a busy week ahead of us, we are grateful not only to the CNPA, but also the local community and our partners in helping us secure this temporary location and ensuring the continuity of service for visitors to the area. We have been overwhelmed with offers of support.
“We are currently making efforts to secure items from the museum and establish a temporary home for the Royal Carriage, which appears to be intact. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues from Aberdeenshire Council and partners to establish the way forward for the Old Royal Station building in the coming weeks and months.”
The Old Royal Station is owned by Aberdeenshire Council and has been leased to VisitScotland for the last 15 years.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Economic Development, Belinda Miller said: “I would like to express our thanks to the Cairngorms National Park Authority in allowing VisitScotland staff to relocate to their offices. Such generosity in the spirit of partnership will allow the community to adjust as we consider the next steps.”
The Ballater VisitScotland Information Centre will still be one of the hubs for this weekend’s Cairngorms Nature Festival, at its temporary location within the CNPA offices in Station Square - http://cairngorms.co.uk/look-after/cairngorms-nature/festival
Ends.
Notes to newsdesks:
- The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003. It is the UK’s largest national park at 4,528sq km The Park has four aims: to conserve and enhance the area’s natural and cultural heritage: promote sustainable use of the Park’s natural resources; promoting understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Park (including recreation); and to promote sustainable economic and social development of local communities.
- 2.The CNPA was set up to ensure that the unique aspects of the Cairngorms – both the natural environment and the local communities – are cared for, sustained and enhanced for current and future generations to enjoy. The CNPA provides leadership to all those involved in the Cairngorms and works in partnership with a range of communities, businesses, non government organisations and public sector partners to deliver practical solutions on the ground.
For more information contact:
Karen Archer
Press Officer
Cairngorms National Park Authority
01479 870534 / 07834 130253 / karenarcher@cairngorms.co.uk
Topics
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Regions
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Notes to Editors
- Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
- VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland.
- The organisation has three key roles:
- To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
- To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
- To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
- VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- According to a recent Deloitte study, the tourism economy supports 270,000 jobs in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the tourism economy contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
- For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
- For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
Year of Food and Drink 2015
- 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, a celebration of Scotland’s natural larder and the role that food and drink plays in shaping our economic success.
- Scotland generates over £2.5m per day through food and drink tourism.
- A series of themed months will create an appetite for key areas of Scotland’s food and drink industries – from seafood and whisky to berries and high-quality meat
- For more information, visit www.visitscotland.com/tastescotland
