You might be right Andy but I'm afraid i don't see it as perfect. One, you know what they say, location, location, location. Being in the centre of town and next to the historic bridge would be better. Also it's not always open. Although people can go in there and sit and chat it isn't what they tend to do. I admit it does host the walkers and the Tuesday evening craft group and is therefore used for multiple purposes but it also a place where people expect a bit of quiet to read.

When people come into the cancer fund shop they chat away, yes, they come to browse but many come to pass the time of day and for a chit chat, you find out all sorts and make friends on a daily basis.

We recently held a fund raising coffee morning at the Parish rooms and hardly anyone came. it's been the same each time we've held it there. it's just a fact that if something happens in the town centre it generates interest.

Well we could have a tourist information in the library
All ready staffed, rent and rates all ready paid for.

Now there's a man with his thinking cap on! Good Man!
Nice one Andy!

I suppose also a straight forward tourist office is not really what I had in mind I'm thinking more along the lines of a community shop that includes tourist info but provides a place for a community notice board. somewhere to advertise local services and facilities and sell locally made crafts/art etc. I would see the people involved as being ambassadors for Crowland, assisting networking as well as giving information.

a good idea barbersdrove but i think your right it is a little bit different to a dedicated tourist info.

Alicia (ex post office) now lives in a place called Feckingham (and yes I have all ready pointed out to her what that makes them now.....think on the lines of a Crowlander)volunteers in her local shop that is a community shop owned by the village and non profit making. I've been to the shop and it is amazing.

A dedicated centre could also be open at times when the Library is not.
Sunday is a popular day for tourists for example.

Sunday is a popular day for tourists for example.
So where do they tour from Monday to Saturday?

I know what you mean though........
"Let's take a little run out to Crowland, Stanley"
"Alright Edith, but I need to check we've got enough petrol to get us back home to Postland"

When I started this thread, I had no idea it would lead to such interest, for which I am truly glad. The idea of a community tourist /info shop is great. Whenever hubby and I travel around caravanning, we always pop into tourist/info shops and it is most enlightening and interesting especially when there are 'touristy' items one can purchase as a guide to the type of place we are visiting or just a small momentum to keep the memories of the place alive.

However, knowing nothing about the setting up and running of this type of venture, I am intrigued by the knowledgeable persons on this subject that are living in Crowland.

Keep the thinking caps on, also keep positive and perhaps just maybe we might see this in Crowland one day...

Maybe a committee of like minded people ?
Pool the expertise and ideas ?

I would certainly join such a committee

Pool the expertise and ideas ?
Shouldn't take too long then....
Should I book a hall for 15 minutes?