A FIRM of top consultants has been brought in to provide plans for a state-of-the-art visitor centre for York.

First Stop York tourism partnership has appointed a firm of consultants to provide detailed plans for the new city centre visitor information centre.

The Continuum Group, along with its partners, The Building Design Partnership and King Sturge, will carry out a feasibility study into a new visitor information centre in the Parliament Street area.

As reported in the Evening Press in October, the favourite site being considered is currently occupied by by public toilets known as the "Splash Palace".

The new facility will replace, and is expected to be a significant improvement upon, the existing centre in the De Grey Rooms.

Working with First Stop York, the Continuum Group will produce the study over the next four months before presenting its proposals in March, next year. The aim is to provide a high standard of visitor services for York and the region that will generate income to ensure its own long-term viability.

The feasibility study has been commissioned by First Stop York and the project is being funded by its partner organisations, together with Yorkshire Forward. Consultation and discussion opportunities will also be provided.

Tony Bennett, chairman of First Stop York's executive, said: "First Stop York is committed to developing York as a visitor destination of the highest quality and visitor services are vital in achieving this.

"Better quality information services are needed for residents and this will be a key requirement of the new centre."

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said: "This challenging project requires excellent design and financial planning skills, as the aim is to open the new service for business by the end of March, 2008.

"As the eventual operator of the service, on behalf of the partnership, the bureau welcomes this key piece of work and looks forward to working with its partners and Continuum on this project."

Tony Docherty, director of the Continuum Group, said: "We are delighted to have been commissioned to work on this exciting project, which we believe will produce a world-class, financially-viable visitor information centre for York."

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, November 19, 2005