Helpful staff, attractive souvenirs and an inviting atmosphere have contributed to Norwich’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) being declared one of the best TICs in the country.
The accolade followed a mystery shopper exercise by VisitEngland and saw the TIC, which is run by Norwich City Council, ranked as the best performing in the East of England and the fifth best in England and Wales.
This latest recognition of what Norwich offers visitors and locals alike comes after it was named England's first UNESCO City of Literature and the sixth most visited English place by day trippers last year.
Mystery shoppers paid random visits to TICs across the country earlier this year. The Norwich centre, which is based at The Forum, received its visit in March and the anonymous visitor reported back in glowing terms.
They found members of staff were friendly, immediately greeted visitors with a smile and were smartly dressed and knowledgeable. There was a good range of attractive souvenirs and well-ordered posters and leaflets and the centre was clean, bright and inviting and easy to find.
The mystery shopper said staff could not have been more helpful and gave good advice about information that could be accessed online and good ideas about local activities.
Councillor Brenda Arthur, leader of Norwich city council and portfolio holder, for culture and sport said: “This is tremendous news and I am very proud of all the staff at our TIC who helped to achieve this result.
“It’s very important to welcome visitors to our city in a friendly and helpful way and also to provide a service for local people and we can be confident we are doing this well.”
Norwich TIC provides advice and information on accommodation, activities and travel. It provides services for tourists and local people alike including walking tours and bookings for events including the Royal Norfolk Show and the Lord Mayor's Celebrations. Norwich TIC is an official partner TIC, which is an accolade given by VisitBritain to TICs which meet certain standards.