COUNCILLORS have voted to launch a petition against the relocation of the Tourism Information Centre (TIC).

Malvern Town Council expressed their opposition to the district council's decision to move the TIC from Church Street, in Malvern.

Councillors have previously raised concerns about moving it from the centre of town to the district council's office in Avenue Road, Malvern.

Cllr Clive Smith said: "The recommendation is that we should launch an online petition to ask the public if they believe it should stay in the centre of town.

"This will go viral and they will see the depth of feeling and hopefully get them out of the predicament they find themselves in."

Cllr Smith paid tribute to the local traders' petition opposing the move, which has over 500 signatures.

But Cllr Hannah Campbell, who also sits on the district council, questioned whether the petition was reflective of all of Malvern's residents.

She added that she would only oppose the move if she was shown a fully costed business case.

Cllr James O'Donnell, who is also a district councillor, added: "The cost of running the TIC to the district council is £150,000 a year.

"Demographically it doesn't get the visits it used to get. It's primary point of contact is giving out blue badges.

"That could be easier accomplished somewhere with better parking provision."

The council voted in favour of starting an online petition and the clerk hopes to set it up by Monday.

UPDATE (April 11): You can sign the petition here.