THE future of five South Lakeland tourist information centres has been secured following a council decision to hive them off to private and community groups.

South Lakeland District Council has approved plans for new management arrangements at Ulverston, Kendal, Windermere, Broughton and Ambleside TICs.

It will cease to operate all the buildings in April 2011 and has spent six months sourcing providers for the five centres.

At a meeting last week, the cabinet backed bids from Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Lakes Hospitality Association to take over the Kendal and Windermere TICs respectively.

Chamber of Commerce business development manager Derek Armstrong said the Kendal TIC would move to the new Made In Cumbria store on Stramongate.

“The Chamber recognises the importance of having services in the area,” he said.

LHA chairman Jonathan Denby said the TIC drew more than 300,000 visitors to Windermere each year and brought £500 million to the local economy.

“Brilliant, friendly service, and I hope at least one staff member who can speak Japanese, will ensure visitors leave armed with advice and ideas on how to make the most of their holiday,” he said.

SLDC will offer grants to Windermere, Kendal and Ulverston on a diminishing basis over four years for set up costs.

Broughton TIC will continue to be run by local people with a SLDC staff member being withdrawn from April.

Discussions are continuing about the future of Ambleside TIC but SLDC portfolio holder for economic prosperity and transport, Graham Vincent, said he was confident the service would continue.

Ulverston TIC will be incorporated into the box office and information service at the Coronation Hall.

New box office software will be installed, making it easier for people to access services such as online ticketing and event programmes.

“This is a great opportunity for tourist information to be reinvented,” said Coun Vincent.

“By embracing the Government’s ideas around the Big Society and helping our communities over four years with grants we have successfully secured the provision of TICs across the district.”

Coun Jeanette Jenkinson said the new plans were an excellent way of keeping Ulverston box office and TIC together.

“I have spoken to businesses in Ulverston and they are quite happy with it as long as the service continues,” she said.

But Christine Atkinson, who works as a volunteer at Ulverston TIC, said the new arrangements would reduce the quality of service.

“Tourists expect leaflets and many of these are missing.

"The 4pm closure is also regrettable. The service has declined over the past year,” she said.