Reading this thread, I think a tourist office/museum would work really well in Crowland and the suggested shop in East Street would be perfect in size and location. What I can't work out in my mind is how it would work financially. Even if it was staffed and run on a voluntary basis, there is still the rent, rates, utilities & insurance which would be at least £700 per month. Then there is the initial set up costs. I can't see it generating any significant income to offset this.

There was a meeting a few months ago through the Parish Council re ideas for bringing new life to the town centre. I don't know if anything moved any further forward or if there would be any funding available. If this could be overcome then I think it would be a great idea & I would support it.

Re water taxi, I thought this ran on a Sunday from Spalding or has it stopped?

I think it would have to be done under the banner of the Chamber of trade. Not sure about rents as there does seem to be some leeway if you can agree it with the landlord or if you are a registered charity as the cancer fund is. I don't think volunteers would be an issue. When we were setting up the cancer fund we thought that but it's turned out not to be the case. Yes we have times when we are scratching around but we have a bank of temporary people as well as the regulars. Obviously there would be services charges though. I do agree though, that little shop that used to be Phoenix would be ideal. I've had my beady eye on it for a while.

Lots of people in crowland beaver away making things in their homes so there could be a crowland crafts for sale section too.

Yeah I'm sure staffing wouldn't be a problem & if it is then just reduce the opening hours. I know the rent is £500 per month and lease is currently held by Briggs estate agents. If you think it could be funded in some way then that would be very interesting.

Reading this thread, I think a tourist office/museum would work really well in Crowland Museums ? - they're things of the past aren't they??

Re water taxi, I thought this ran on a Sunday from Spalding or has it stopped? No, they only run from Spalding centre to Springfields along the Welland and Coronation Canal.

After a little bit of Googling it would appear the taxi was/is supported by the East Midlands Development Agency, Lincolnshire Enterprise and the Environment Agency. SHDC also being hugely involved through the Fenland Leader programme and secured European funding. The whole project cost £371,567.
Maybe we should throw in some pedalloes, kayaks and water bikes ?????

There would appear to be more interest in the Tourist office so that is next (unless someone else has time on their hands !!)

It looks like funding could be available for any such a venture if we put our minds to it.

All looks like Cameron's Big Society is already at work!!!

I think getting funding for just about anything in the current economic climate shows a level of optimism which seems to have passed me by..............

On the subject of the Water Taxi,it did run an "chartered" service bringing people from Spalding to eat at the Bridge Inn - before it closed. I'm not sure how I would have coped on the return journey with a few pints of ale inside me combined with the sound of lapping water!!! "Normal" service is Spalding to Springfields. If you want a bigwig - the Water Taxi is sponsored by Broadgate Builders, the developer of the Barclays site.

I did hear a suggestion thatpubs offering "Lunchtime specials" are a great way of increasing "footfall" where they exist - as two of ours are owned and managed by national chains, perhaps the Crown could consider this when they lose the custom of the road builders??

G O

I find that a 'lunchtime special' usually leads to an afternoon nap.

I have just spoken with "VisitLincolnshire" and they applauded the idea of a Crowland Tourist Office.
The next step would be an approach to SHDC. However, I am not prepared to take that step. Although there have many positive comments through this thread there is a stronger underlying current of negativity which leads me to believe that "we" don't really want the situation to improve.

All looks like Cameron's Big Society is already at work!!!

I think getting funding for just about anything in the current economic climate shows a level of optimism which seems to have passed me by..............

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds !" - Albert Einstein

If this or any other idea is taken forward by anyone I wish them luck !

"Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome."- Samuel Johnson

well thanks for that little 'push'. I will contact SHDC to see what the situation is re a tourist office. I do understand about the negativity but thats the nature of things. I think the majority of people need to see the possibility of success before getting on board.

That as may well be BD but it is hard enough fighting adversity from external bodies without having to overcome internal inertia.

Fighting the outside world for the common good is enjoyable and worthwhile. Fighting inertia amongst one's own commune is neither.

I still think it is a good, worthy and achievable idea !!

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible" - Arthur C. Clarke

Well we could have a tourist information in the library

All ready staffed, rent and rates all ready paid for.

Perfect?