Member Article

Durham Pointers Help Over 7000 Find Their Way

The Durham Pointers mobile signposting service in Durham City’s Market Place has served over 7000 visitors since its launch in June.

Organiser Esther Ashby says:

“Between 10am and 3pm, Monday to Friday, our human signposts have provided a guiding hand to over 7000 visitors coming from everywhere from Peterlee to the Philippines. This figure is set to surpass 10,000 by the end of the summer season.

“Subject to some modest funding next year, we hope the ‘Pointers in Pink’ will again be a feature over the summer in the Market Place and encourage anyone interested in receiving more information next year to leave us their details on info@durhampointers.co.uk.”

Warmly applauded by tourists and residents alike, the Durham Pointers service has exceeded all expectations since its launch in June. The welcoming, pink-uniformed volunteers in the Market Place are currently answering an average of 100+ enquiries a day between 10am and 3pm.

Queries cover the whole spectrum – from the commonest (‘How do we get to the Cathedral?’ and ’Where are the nearest toilets?) to the most detailed (‘Where is an expensive lingerie shop for a wedding nightgown?’ and ‘I need a car insurance broker now!’) to the most unusual (‘Do you know about the Myra Hindley window in Durham prison?’).

As well as giving directions to places of interest, the Pointers are ideally placed to advise visitors on how to access more detailed tourism information. They also help motorists adrift in the city centre, explain the location of park and ride bus stops and answer public transport queries.

The Pointers project is funded by Durham Area Action Partnership until the end of September 2012 but organisers are confident that its success to date means that additional days on Bank Holidays and in the lead up to Christmas may be possible this year. It is hoped that due to the scheme’s value, new funding will be forthcoming for the 2013 season.

Durham City Centre is hoping to recruit another 10-15 volunteers as the high season reaches its peak. For further details, please visit www.durhampointers.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Georgina Wilczek .