LEOMINSTER'S tourism service is to be taken in-house by the town council.

The council agreed at a meeting last week to take over the operation of the Tourist Information Service from Monday April 4.

The measure will not lead to any immediate visible changes for customers but will deliver savings, with plans for the TIC to move into 11 Corn Square when the town council takes possession of the property.

Paul Russell, town clerk, said changes to the TIC will be mainly operational and the service itself will remain the same, although more sustainable.

Staff will be transferred under an agreement which is currently being put together and the service will continue to be delivered in 1 Corn Square for the time being.

"It will be much more transparent and with public access to accounts and it will have to be VAT registered," said Mr Russell.

"It's based on a more sustainable future for the Tourist Information Centre which has been identified as a very important service for the local economy both in Leominster and Herefordshire generally.

"There are better terms and conditions for its current staff. What we are trying to do is to improve the TIC experience. We can invest significantly into the way it operates."

The Community Interest Company which currently manages the TIC will still be in use and will allow the town council to apply for grants it cannot otherwise access.

Councillor Felicity Norman added: "We have spoken to volunteers and discussed with them at some length and made it clear we want to involve them in how we take things forward.

"We are working with both employees and the very much needed and depended upon volunteers as well. We will listen to any issues they bring up."