Burnham dad-of-five takes vital tourism role (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Burnham dad-of-five takes vital tourism role

7:20pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News

A HARD-WORKING dad who has helped turn Burnham's Information Centre around has been given a crucial tourism role.

Father-of-five Ian Jefferies has been appointed the centre's business and tourism manager.

Mr Jefferies, a Burnham Coastguard, has been one of the 40-plus volunteers who have manned the centre on the seafront since it was taken over by the Burnham Information and Rescue Service 17 months ago.

The centre, which had been losing £100,000 a year, is now making a small profit, and last month welcomed its 100,000th visitor.

Mr Jefferies, 45, said he wanted to make more people aware of the wide range of services the centre offers, such as booking tickets for the theatre or rail travel.

He said: “We have only scratched at the services we can offer the whole town”.

BIARS chairman Neville Jones said of Mr Jefferies: “His personal attitude towards the importance of tourism to Burnham and the coastal strip generally has made him the right man for this very important post, as so many jobs in this area depend upon income from tourism.”

Mr Jefferies, who is married with five sons, has become involved in many community roles since moving to Burnham with wife Jo ten years ago.

He is secretary of the Coastguards Association, booking clerk and trustee at the BAY Centre, treasurer of Burnham Dream Team and chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Youth Trust.