I AM responding to Councillor Carol Gittins' letter in the Shuttle/Times and News on December 8.

The Worcestershire hub is being installed in Bewdley to save residents the time and inconvenience of calling or visiting any number of county council offices or the eight offices of the district council which are spread around the district.

From a single drop-in centre any member of the public can meet council staff to make inquiries about services, locate services, look up planning applications, pay for services and also visitors can inquire about the district's tourist facilities.

Load Street is the logical place for the hub as it is close to the medical centre, library, bank, pharmacies and shops. This means that residents can drop into the hub without having to make a special journey.

The district council is exploring options for expanding the Tourist Information Centre to include the hub.

Bearing in mind the need to maintain the wonderful Georgian heritage of Bewdley, any proposal will need to blend in with the overall street pattern of Load Street and, in particular, the Guildhall.

I must point out that Bewdley Museum would have closed under the previous Health Concern administration. The new Conservative-led district council recognised the importance of maintaining it as both a showcase for a town whose economy is largely based on its history and heritage, and as an important local amenity.

While the hub is made possible by 21st century technology by sensitive design, it will also provide the door to centuries of Bewdley's history. It will also provide a reason to maintain the museum for future generations.

That is why I not only believe that my Conservative colleagues on the district council have a vision for the economic regeneration of Bewdley - I absolutely support them.

GORDON YARRANTON

County councillor and newly-elected Conservative town councillor