Staff at Keswick’s tourist information centre at the Moot Hall were told last week that they face redundancy.
The risk of redundancy affects seven members of staff – three permanent and four zero hours – totalling 2.26 full-time equivalent.
Sarah Calderbank, head of communications and engagement at the Lake District National Park Authority, said: “In October last year we confirmed the lease for the Keswick visitor information centre at the Moot Hall would not be renewed due to a significant increase in rent, combined with other operating costs and an 8.2 per cent cut to the authority’s core funding.”
Last month the authority confirmed that the centre will close on January 31 to allow time for the new tenant – a cafe – to move in.
“We have worked hard to search for alternative premises and consider ways to support visitors in the Keswick area, however we are disappointed to confirm this search has not yet been successful,” said Ms Calderbank.
“On January 12 we launched a consultation to review the staffing structure at Keswick. Unfortunately this places seven members of staff on part-time and zero hours contracts at risk of redundancy.
“This is not the outcome the authority wanted, and we will continue to search for alternative premises, including a potential option to retain a visitor information presence in the Moot Hall with the incoming tenant.
“Our thanks and appreciation go to all the staff and volunteers at the centre, who have shown consistently excellent dedication, knowledge and customer service to millions of visitors for almost 25 years.”
She added that the retained presence in the Moot Hall was still under discussion and the authority was unable to comment on what this space or offer might look like at the moment.
