Possible closure of visitor centre 'disgusting'

Trevor Hatter, 77, said he would not be able to go online as he did not have a smartphone

People in a seaside town have been reacting to news that its visitor centre could close.

North Norfolk District Council is considering shutting the facility in Cromer, which a council report said was "considered to be anachronistic and expensive".

The authority’s leader, Tim Adams, said most holidaymakers would carry out a search online.

Trevor Hatter, 77, lives in Cromer and uses the centre to buy tickets for his National Express coach journeys.

“It’s disgusting really. Not everyone has got a smartphone to order things," he said.

“I have to get everything done by paperwork. I’ve only got an old-fashioned phone myself so it would interrupt my travel.

"Everything has gone online, but if you haven’t got a smartphone, you’ve had it."

Gill Ormesher, 65, said some people prefer to get information in person

Gill Ormesher, 65, lives in Cromer with her husband and said they used the centre occasionally to check bus timetables.

“It's a sad thing but unfortunately everything seems to be changing," she said.

“A lot of older people visit here and live here. And although I know a lot of them go online, most people prefer to talk to someone.”

Derek Simon, 75, was concerned about the impact of the potential closure on tourists

Derek Simon, 75, lives in Norwich but visits Cromer with his family.

He said he used the visitor centre occasionally but was concerned about the impact on tourists.

"I’m a bit against it really," he said.

"It’s alright for me because I'm fairly local, but with the holidaymakers and that they need something like that."

The closure of the tourist information centre is likely to be confirmed when the council draws up its budget plans for 2025-26 early next year.

It is part of a complex with award-winning public toilets, but Mr Adams said they would not be affected by any visitor centre closure.