New Tourist Information Centre opens in Bristol

A brand new Tourist Information Centre in the heart of Bristol opened its doors for the first time on Saturday, 16th January 2010.

The long-awaited centre is designed to meet the information needs of visitors and local people and will also house a unique drop-in information point for the University of the West of England (UWE).

The new information centre is located in E-Shed, next to the Watershed Media Centre, on Bristol’s historic Harbourside. It has been completely refurbished to a bespoke design and will set a new benchmark in the quality of the visitor experience it provides.

The range of services offered will include accommodation bookings, the sale of tickets for events and visitor attractions, a wide selection of gifts, souvenirs, maps and travel guides, plus general advice and assistance on how to make the most of visiting, living in or travelling around Bristol.

A series of screens, provided by Bristol City Council’s Transport team, will provide up to the minute travel information. A wide range of relevant travel leaflets and timetables will also be available. The work of local artists will be on display and offered for sale through a partnership with Spike Print Studio.

James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, who visited Bristol as the centre prepared to open, said: “The new centre is very impressive and a great addition to Bristol. It offers a very full range of services that will benefit anyone visiting the area. I am delighted to have been one of the centre’s first visitors.”

Councillor Barbara Janke, leader of Bristol City Council and co-chair of the Destination Bristol Board said: “Bristol has long been deserving of a great tourist centre. We now have a brand new, dedicated space that will provide a truly first-class visitor experience. I am delighted that the centre is now open and will benefit not just those visiting Bristol, but residents as well.”

John Hirst, operations director with Destination Bristol, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming in 2010 with a spacious, brand new, purpose built tourist information centre. The location is superb. The centre’s manager, Michaela Norris, and her team are buzzing with excitement and are raring to go.”

Creation of the new centre has been led by Destination Bristol in partnership with the Watershed, with support from South West Regional Development Agency and other key partners, including UWE and Bristol City Council.

UWE are key partners and will be occupying space in the Tourist Information Centre. There will be computers where visitors can request a prospectus, enrol for courses, purchase tickets for events and find out about UWE’s new Exhibition and Conference Centre. The centre is a perfect city centre 'shop window' for UWE'S public, community and business engagement work and will also provide a rendezvous point for international students in the city centre.

The new centre will open seven days a week, between 10:00 and 17:00 during the Winter months.

For more information, log on to visitbristol.co.uk.