Tourists visit Pump Rooms

The Pump Rooms - Tenbury's Main Attraction

At the last few meetings of the Town Council, the Mayor has commented on the number of tourists that appear in town nearly every day and ask if they can look inside the Pump Rooms. He has also been receiving letters from several coach parties each month with the same request. Although the Town Clerk is now located at the Pump Rooms, it is not always convenient for her to open the Main Hall and Pump Tower.

This Tourist interest should not come as a surprise. Not so long ago (OK four years) Tenbury Town Council was lobbying Malvern Hills District Council (the then owners of the building) to open up the Pump Rooms on a regular basis for Tourists. (Newspaper article from 2005)

Five years ago Lee Robson, the then District's Head of Community and Economic Development said: "We want to create as many tourist attractions as possible in our area and the Pump Rooms is a main attraction in the north of the district. We are keen to work with anyone who can help us establish regular openings. (Newspaper article from 2004)

It has been estimated that with some publicity and sympathetic opening hours 10,000 people a year could come through the doors. Whilst it would be difficult to charge an entrance fee, there would be the opportunity to recoup some of the costs with associated sales.

The original restoration was funded on the condition that the building was open as a Tourist attraction with a Tourist Information Point.

A promotion/publicity campaign, with a proper leaflet, and professionally staffed openings and tours/talks, would cost about £2,500 a year, possibly less if some volunteer labour was utilised.

Whilst any expenditure would put a strain on the Town Council's budget, grants of £20,000+ were found for an Arts Trail in Tenbury,

Art Sculpture part of the £20,000 Art Trail

and £30,000 for a Civic garden, neither of which are a major attraction, but do contribute to the Tourist offer.

£30,000 Civic Garden Under Construction

Even in these difficult financial times there is money to be made from tourism, and what Tenbury seems to lack is a co-ordinated approach to making the best use of its architectural heritage.

Tenbury is a fantastic town, with varied and interesting architecture, and with nearly 100% independant shops, is a virtually unique tourist attraction. There are problems, as with any town, and in places the public domain is in need of regeneration, but on the whole, it should be a mecca for Tourists to while away an hour or three.

Festivals and special events are great at bringing people to Tenbury, but everyday facilities are always going to be far better at helping long term economic prosperity.

The Town Council has received offers to help staff the opening, and the Lottery grant will help to smarten up and open up the Regal, another of Tenbury's unique architectural gems.

The Regal, Entertainments and Pump Rooms Committee of the Town Council will be discussing this matter on Monday July 13th. (7pm in the Pump Rooms)