Row over visitor information services in Stow-on-the-Wold (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Sue and Walter Hasler of Go-Stow have hit out at Stow-on-the-Wold Town Council over their approach to Stow Cricket Museum

4:00pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in News By Ian Craig

THE owners of a recently closed visitor information centre (VIC) in Stow-on-the-Wold have hit out at the town council for the way it has worked to set up a replacement service.

Sue and Walter Hasler closed their privately-run VIC Go-Stow in December after Stow Town Council (STC) refused to continue to fund them despite a 1,600 signature petition to save the service.

Meanwhile, the owners of the town’s cricket museum Andy and Marian Collier have proposed opening a new VIC at their premises on Sheep Street.

In a letter to the town council, Sue and Walter said they supported the cricket museum’s bid but were unhappy that STC had offered to help them with a £10,000 grant.

Although the grant was made by Cotswold District Council to run visitor services in the town, STC refused to give it to Go-Stow as it was unable to directly fund a private business.

“We want to make it clear that we like the Colliers a lot and wish them well for the future, but we want explanations from STC,” the letter read.

“Why, within 48 hours of them expressing interest in running the VIC, were they given a copy of the contract and told that they would receive money to help them?”

Sue and Walter added in the letter they felt it was unfair that STC were supporting the cricket museum, which has been open for less than a year.

“Why is STC’s treatment of the Colliers, who are relatively new to Stow and retail so vastly different from the way we have been treated, after three years of running Go-Stow as a highly successful VIC?”

Mr Collier said he and his wife had been dealing with STC but the arrangements were in the early stages.

STC is due to discuss the arrangements with the cricket museum and Sue and Walter’s concerns at its meeting on Thursday February 14.