The Tourist Information office at Lowestoft Railway Station re-opened to the public on April 12. The facility which opened last Summer, has been closed since December following Government restrictions imposed on non-essential retail as part of efforts to suppress the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Combining tourist information, a railway bookshop, local crafts, souvenirs and refreshments, the office is operated by the Lowestoft Central Project in conjunction with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership.
Last summer saw the facility prove extremely popular with both visitors to the town and residents as it filled a major gap left when the town’s former Tourist Information Centre on Royal Plain closed some years ago.
Staffed by volunteers, the office will once again be open daily Monday to Saturday from 10am, and, as the area prepares for more home-grown tourism this year, will once again be stocked with details on the many of the attractions and activities available in the area.
Jacqui Dale, director of the Lowestoft Central Project said; “We are thrilled to be reopening soon and looking forward to welcoming both visitors and residents again. “Last summer, it was great to be able to provide information on the wealth of attractions and activities available in our area and to provide rail passengers with refreshments ahead of their journeys. This year looks to be a bumper year for home grown tourism and we are looking forward to supporting this essential part of our local economy once more.”
Community rail development officer at Community Rail Norfolk, Martin Halliday added; “We are delighted that the Tourist Information Office and Community Rail Hub at Lowestoft has reopened. This facility is so well located, not just at the railway station, but also at the heart of the town, and we are delighted the great work achieved by the volunteer team in serving both the community and tourists will continue throughout 2021.”
In addition to Tourist Information, the shop played an integral role in the launch of the book “A Long Way From Home” last December which features the experiences of children evacuated from the town during World War Two. Copies of the book will once again be available for purchase when the shop reopens, the only retail outlet in the town from which the book is available.
