CAMPAIGNERS have a renewed vigour to save the Tourist Information Centre.

New hope comes after the news this week that a Lincolnshire tourist office originally for the axe may be rescued from closure

City of Lincoln Council have announced that it will work with Lincoln Business Improvement Group to keep it open.

Cowcliffe protester Stan Solomons told the Examiner he now has ‘renewed hope’ of saving the Albion Street office.

He said: “If they can do it in Lincoln with public, media and local support then they can do it here.

“Businesses who use the centre need to jump on the band wagon and support us. With a new Welcome to Yorkshire campaign recently launched we need to be welcoming people, not turning them away.”

Last month, Kirklees Council announced closure plans, saying it would save £58,000 over two years.

Ticket bookings will move to Huddersfield Town Hall and the tourist information to Huddersfield Library.

Seven staff are in fear of their jobs.

Mr Solomons believes there is a different reason for the closure.

He said: “It has nothing to do with saving money. Kirklees wants the tourist centre in Albion Street to be vacated to free up space for one or more of the council departments being kicked out of Oldgate House.

“Most people think it is owned by the council, but in fact Kirklees leases the building from a private landlord. The lease is up and the education departments housed there have been told they must leave by October.

“That, of course, is shortly after the date by which the council says the tourist centre will close. Why didn’t the council tell us the truth at the outset instead of floating this cock-and-bull story that the closure will save £58,000 over two years?”

Supporters and business representatives against the closure are to meet at Huddersfield Methodist Mission, Lord Street on April 23, at 8pm.