CONCERNS have been raised about a lack of information for tourists in Teignmouth since the closure of the town’s tourist information centre.

Calls have now been made for a dedicated centre to make a return to the town after complaints about the service provided at Pavilions Teignmouth.

There has been some confusion about what is on offer with some claiming, what is termed an information point, is merely a ‘corner with some leaflets’.

A Danish family on holiday in the resort reported problems trying to find information about bus trips to Dartmoor.

The Jepson family, who have been visiting the town for 15 years, arrived this summer to find the former tourist information centre on Den Crescent now shut.

Efforts to find the information drew a blank and staff at the Pavilions suggested going to Dawlish TIC where the family were able to find what they were looking for.

The couple said: ‘In Dawlish we met polite helpful staff with lots of suggestions.

‘We are just foreigners but how can a community like Teignmouth with so much tourism make such a disaster?’

Their views have been echoed by other residents and councillor Alison Eden.

She said: ‘Teignmouth is a seaside town and people coming to visit expect to see a clearly branded TIC.

‘Like everything, closing the TIC was a cost cutting decision but to me, it is a question of priorities and this is the wrong priority.

‘As a strategy, it is ridiculous.

‘On a fundamental level, it is the responsibility of the town council and district council to promote this town using every means available.

‘The current situation clearly isn’t working.’

Cllr Eden added that there was some confusion over the role of staff at the Pavilions in terms of providing information.

A sign does indicate there is an information point but Cllr Eden said it appeared there was one corner with a pile of leaflets.

She said: ‘The signage is rubbish and you don’t know it’s there unless you try to look for it.’

She said improvements need to be made if the information point is to remain at the Pavilions.

Previously she had suggested a ‘pop up’ TIC could be provided in an empty town centre shop during the main tourist season.

Resident Christine Siviter believes the town needs its own dedicated tourist information centre.

She has suggested extending the nearby resort office to provide a small room.

She said: ‘Visitors see the Pavilions as a theatre, they don’t realise there is an information point there.’

A spokesman for Teignbridge Council said: ‘Teignbridge is the only district council in the south west which still supports tourist information centres.

‘We have an agreement with the Pavilions to provide a tourist information point.

‘The success of the Pavilions has far exceeded expectations which has had an impact on the service they have been able to provide to date and we are working with them to develop and improve the service they can offer.’

The iconic seafront building, which had been run by volunteers, closed earlier this year after 80 years and is now home to an ice cream business.