Conwy visitor centre up for auction

Jun 17 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

Conwy Visitor Centre

CONWY’S tourist industry could be affected when the town’s visitor centre is put under the hammer next month.

The auction guide price for the Grade II listed Conwy Visitor Centre on Rose Hill Street is £450,000.

The auction takes place at the Imperial Hotel on Friday, July 16.

Owner Gunter Seimann says the directors of the centre have decided to try and sell the premises as they’d like to retire. Mr Seimann claims there has been plenty of interest from potential buyers.

The prominently located centre has been run by Mr Seimann, who is the major stakeholder, for the past 30 years.

He said: “The business is just fine, despite the recession.

“We’ve already weathered two recessions in the 1980s and 90s, and I don’t think it has been as strongly felt here as it has in the south. We’re selling because one of the directors would like to retire.”

Mr Seimann says he’s confident the premises will sell.

“The business is well established and well known, and if it sells I’m sure it will carry on as it is now, but there is also a lot of potential to do other things,” he said.

“For instance, the premises could make a wonderful museum as Conwy obviously is so historic.

“It’s perfectly placed as we are very close to the town’s main car park, together with the coach drop-off point.”

Mr Seimann claims up to 90% of tourists to Conwy visit the premises while in the town.

As well as being a souvenir gift shop, the centre’s staff advise visitors on where to stay and visit.

“We don’t book accommodation but we do advise and have information and leaflets on all the tourist attractions.”

He added: “If we don’t sell, then we’ll carry on. We have no intention of closing before selling it.”

Conwy councillor Tony Tobin said he wished Conwy County Council could afford to buy the visitor centre.

He said: “It would be a big loss to the town if it closed as a visitor centre.

“I only wish the council could afford to buy it, and perhaps put the library there instead of spending money redeveloping the Civic Centre.

“But I’ve been told it’s not big enough, and anyway I don’t think the council has enough spare money at the moment.”

mari.jones