TWO of the district's information centres have relocated.

The new point in Victoria Hall, Saltaire, officially opened its doors yesterday.

It is being supported by Shipley College and the Salt Foundation and will help visitors to the village to find out about local attractions and events.

It will also stock the Discover Saltaire guide and will be accessible at times when Victoria Hall is open to the public.

The hall, based in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, was opened in 1871 by Sir Titus Salt as a centre for recreation, culture and learning.

It’s now owned by the Salt Foundation - a charitable trust. Shipley College is based in five buildings within the village and acts as Managing Agents for the Victoria Hall on behalf of the Salt Foundation.

It was designed by architects Lockwood and Mawson and when the hall opened it housed a library, gymnasium and rifle drill-room, fencing room, armoury, chess room, laboratory and lecture theatre, bagatelle and billiards room, a school of art, and a large dance hall with a fully sprung floor.

The hall has hosted prominent speakers including historian John Ruskin, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli and explorer David Livingstone.

Charles Dickens was booked to speak shortly before his unexpected death in 1870

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Environment and Culture, said: “The new Information Point will continue the work of our tourism team in welcoming visitors to the village and providing information.

“We are also working towards setting up a team of volunteer Visitor Ambassadors for the village.”

And in Ilkley a new Visitor Information Centre has opened in the library after its move from the town hall next door.

The new centre is supported by Ilkley Parish Council, which is funding two part-time posts at the centre.

Visitors will be able to find information about local attractions and events and will be able to make bookings for events at Ilkley’s Kings Hall, Bradford Theatres, Leeds Theatres and also National Express.

“We are grateful for Ilkley Parish Council for their support in funding two part-time staff to run the new Visitor Information Centre in our library in Ilkley,” said Coun Ferriby.

“The new centre will continue the work of our tourism team in welcoming visitors to the town and providing information.”