Tourist hub needed to ensure safety on the fells

The tourist information centre is due to move out of Moot Hall at the end of March

Keeping a tourist information centre in a town is key to ensuring people stay safe on the fells, a volunteer has said.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has confirmed it will move out of Moot Hall in Keswick when its lease comes to an end in March.

The authority said this was due to an "unsustainable" rent rise and budget cuts and pledged to explore alternative options.

Jean Murray, who has volunteered at the centre for 14 years, said the hub offered a vital service to visitors to the Lake District, especially those who arrive with "inaccurate information gleaned on social media".

She explained the tourist centre provided information for inexperienced and experienced walkers, but many often overestimated their abilities or underestimated the terrain.

"Some information on social media, to be honest, is complete nonsense and it does mislead people," she said.

Many tourists coming to Keswick want to climb the Lake District fells

Ms Murray, who also serves as a councillor on Keswick Town Council, said many international visitors were among the 195,000 tourists the centre served last year.

She said they often expect trails to be waymarked as they often are in Europe, which was not the case.

"I think it's an issue of keeping people safe, but also introducing them safely to fell walking," she said.

Peter Notley, head of resources at the LDNPA, said the organisation was looking into other options for the centre.

"We remain committed to supporting visitors in the Keswick and north Lakes area and are continuing to explore a range of alternative options," he said.

Ms Murray said she feared the type of premises needed would be in short supply in Keswick.

"It's got to be somewhere that's affordable, accessible for people, so it's got to be within the town centre somewhere and property like that is very scarce in Keswick," she said.

She added smaller premises may affect the centre's ability to stock gifts and walking equipment, supporting local manufacturers and shops.

"There would be a huge gap in terms of the businesses that we serve," she added.

The Battersby Trust, which owns Moot Hall, has been approached for comment.

It previously said the information centre's rent had not risen since 2001 and as a charity it had to seek "best value" for its beneficiaries.