TOURISM bosses have welcomed suggestions that a chocolate visitor centre should be opened at Terry's if the factory closes down.

Evening Press reader Elaine Morgan contacted the paper to say a Cadbury World-style centre on part of the site would be a major tourist attraction for York, and create many jobs to help compensate for those lost through closure.

She said that when she had worked on Guide Friday tour buses, she had constantly been asked by visitors whether they could tour the chocolate factories or go to a chocolate visitor centre.

"Here is a prime site for such a facility to be developed in its original setting," she said.

"Building such a facility would provide much needed employment in the area to make up for the loss of the factory - front desk, shop, explainers, cleaners, catering staff, maintenance staff etc.

"Transport to the site would not be a problem, since there are already car parks there, the York tour buses would only have to make a short detour from their usual route to drop visitors at the site, and there is also a frequent First York bus service past the entrance to the factory.

"Kraft could still sell the majority of the land, as they intend, while still keeping the connection with York. Having visited Cadbury World, I know that visitor centres such as this are very popular, and they are prepared to travel to visit them. The number of tourists visiting York is growing every year, and most would visit a relevant exhibition like this, particularly if they have kids."

York tourism bureau chief executive Gillian Cruddas said it was a "great idea" which would boost tourism in York, and she would welcome it if it could be pursued.

Kraft said it was too early to consider ideas for the future of the York site, as the company was currently focusing on discussing the company's intentions to close the factory with unions and staff representatives.

But a spokesman added: "We recognise the factory has a long tradition and close links with the city of York, and we will investigate whether there is any possibility of maintaining historic links between Terry's and the city."

The visitor centre idea does not run against the Evening Press's campaign to Save Terry's, as the paper understands that the company needs to vacate the Bishopthorpe Road site and argues - in line with union leaders, MPs and the city council - that production should instead be relocated to another purpose-built factory in the York area.

Hundreds of people are signing up to our petition daily, with a steady stream of forms being returned to the paper each day.

Updated: 10:40 Wednesday, April 28, 2004