A couple of weeks ago a new Visitor Information Point (VIP) was opened at Vernon Cottage Tearoom, Tavern, Restaurant and Gift Shop in Shanklin Old Village to some celebration.
Quite right too – and it neatly fulfilled an election pledge to bring a Tourist centre back to Shanklin by the two local county councillors, Richard Priest and Jon Gilbey, to boot.
In what looks like a case of over-enthusiasm, Visit Isle of Wight dubbed it the first of its kind on the Island.
Residents of Ventnor and others in other towns know different.
There’s no doubting that the VIP in Shanklin (as well as the one opening at Kollective Gifts in Ryde later this week) will provide a fantastic resource for visitors to the Isle of Wight – we think it’s brilliant – but for clarity, Shanklin’s wasn’t the first of its kind on the Island.
Ventnor’s VIP going for six years
Seasons in Ventnor, our local newsagent and stationers which now includes the local Post Office, has been officially providing Tourist Information for many years.
Six years in fact.
After the Tourist Information Centre at the Coastal Visitor Centre was closed, Bob and Debbie at Seasons agreed to take on the role of providing visitors to the town with relevant tourist information.
They’ve been doing a sterling job ever since.
Southern Vectis too
Those around at the time, may also remember that in 2011, the Island’s bus provider, Southern Vectis, opened Visitor Information Points, in Ryde, Newport and Yarmouth.
Closure of Tourist Information Centres
Back in 2011 the Conservative-led council voted to close all Tourist Information Centres on the Island.
Just three years earlier, in 2008, the then-leader of the council, David Pugh, told a Ventnor town council meeting that,
“Every major town on the Island should have Tourist Information services.”
It’s great to see that this vital service is being reborn with the help of local businesses.
Image: © Google Streeview
