At their January meeting, the Town Council agreed near unanimously to the long-term funding of the Visitor Information Centre (VIC) by making provision within the 2026/27 and the subsequent two budgets.
This is a hugely positive step forward.
Our sincere thanks go not only to the Council but also to the 150+ residents and local businesses who wrote or emailed the Town Clerk, and to those who attended and spoke at the Town Council meeting.
That collective support was vital in demonstrating how much Chipping Campden values its VIC — not only for visitors, but for the wider community. It also confirms the petition conducted by our Ward Councillor Tom Stowe just two years ago which gained over 2,500 signatures in support of the VIC.
However, we are not quite over the line
The immediate challenge facing the VIC is meeting essential rent and service charges for January, February and March, totalling around £3,000. Whilst the Peelers Trust, the VIC’s landlord, has been very supportive in the past, it faces it's own financial challenges.
There is a potential option of additional funding from the Town Council through the Grant process although, as it stands, there is insufficient funding in the Grant Budget.
Equally importantly the existing Grant policy stipulates a number of conditions which might be challenging to fully satisfy - including a requirement for match funding from other sources. So further Council funding cannot be guaranteed.
To reduce the risk of falling at the final hurdle, the VIC is now appealing for short-term donations from residents and local businesses.
Donations can be made:
Directly to the VIC
Via a funding page on the VIC website at Campden Online (www.chippingcampdenonline.org/donate )
Why Supporting the VIC Matters?
The importance and value of the VIC were clearly set out at the Town Council meeting by Cllr Spink, who stood down as Chair and Director of CEE Ltd (under which the VIC operates) to avoid any possible perceived conflict of interest. Key points included:
The VIC is a registered not-for-profit community enterprise - all its revenues go to supporting its services
It promotes Chipping Campden and provides essential visitor information, supporting the Cotswold visitor economy, which underpins local jobs and business income.
It also provides a range of community services and directly supports local organisations such as:Rural Cinema
Cidermill Theatre
Open Gardens
The History Society
Campden Home Nursing
The Music and Literature Festivals
The Bulletin: Online copies
Local artists and craftspeople through a valued retail outlet
Even with Council support, the VIC would continue to cover over 75% of its costs through commercial activity, donations and unpaid volunteer support
The VIC offers excellent value for money
Nearly 20,000 in-person visits last year
Some 45,000 unique visitors to Campden Online - an integral part of the VIC operation
More than 330,000 online engagements - each engagement is potentially a specific enquiry about Chipping Campden: where to park, where to eat, where to stay, what to do ....
No viable alternative exists that delivers the same services more effectively or more cost-efficiently
The Human Side
Finally, it is worth noting the extraordinary commitment shown by the VIC team:
Of our three staff members, two have volunteered to work unpaid for January
The third is working significantly reduced paid hours
This is supported by the continued dedication of an excellent volunteer team
This level of commitment speaks volumes about how much the VIC matters to the people who run it. It would be a tragedy for that commitment not to be matched by the community it serves.
What Happens Next
The long-term future looks positive — but the next few weeks are critical. Any support, whether through a donation, sharing the funding page, or spreading the word, could make the difference between success and setback.
Thank you, once again, to everyone who has supported the VIC so far; together we can ensure the VIC can continue supporting our community.
Tim Sexton - Manager
Chipping Campden Visitor Information Centre