COUNCILLORS have reacted with relief to the news that a take over by the Brontë Society should safeguard the future of Haworth Visitor Information Centre. (VIC)

As previously reported, Bradford Council has accepted the bid by the society to run the Main Street facility in addition to its existing Brontë Parsonage Museum.

Bradford Council launched a public consultation earlier this year regarding the future of its tourism service as it bid to slash costs.

Campaigners vowed to fight any attempt to close the Haworth facility, but under the plan approved last week, the Brontë Society will take over the lease of the Haworth VIC building.

Provision will be based on the current seven-day opening and a full range of Discover and Visit Bradford guides would be carried. Promotion of local and district events and accommodation providers in Haworth would continue, as well as a ticket agency service.

Councillor Gary Swallow, chairman of Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council, said: "The end of the information centre, as proposed by Bradford Council, would have been a great loss to the tourist industry in Haworth.

"And it would have jeopardised our viability as a tourist centre.

"So I'm delighted that this is going to be run by the Brontë Society. We wish them well and if they need any assistance or advice in future as a parish council we'd be more than willing to work with them."

Worth Valley ward councillor Rebecca Poulsen said: "While it's a shame that it's got to this stage, I think it can and will work and I'll support the society to make it a success.

"Losing the VIC completely would have been absolutely abysmal for this area, so I think this is the best outcome we could have hoped for."

Bradford Council's ruling executive committee voted to allow the Brontë Society to manage the threatened service, which for many years has provided information to tourists about local attractions and accommodation.