Tourism centre closed because of bypass
TYRONE’S foremost tourism centre has closed after a drop in trade caused by the new A4 dual carriageway.
Killymaddy Tourist Information Centre, which is on the old main road between Dungannon and Ballygawley, used to be located on one of the busiest roads in Northern Ireland.
However, there was a significant drop in visitors after the new carriageway opened in 2010, bypassing the centre.
The facility has been relocated to the Ranfurly Arts and Visitor Centre in Dungannon.
Footfall at the centre had dropped by as much as 2000 for each quarter.
It had been hoped that holiday-makers would be persuaded to leave the motorway and use the centre as they had been doing for years.
The tourism centre is not the only facility adversely affected by the new dual carriageway. A number of local businesses including filling-stations have reported a sharp drop-off in the number of customers since 2010.
Last year, the site was evaluated as part of a strategic plan for the Clogher Valley area.
In spite of reasonable trade levels, the restaurant at the tourism centre was closed at the end of last year.
It is anticipated that a number of local community groups will now make use of the facility.
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Weather for Dungannon
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: North
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Light showers
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