NEW DUAL ROLE FOR HISTORIC BRIGG BUTTERCROSS IN TOWN CENTRE

Exactly what services the refurbished Buttercross is now offering to the public on its ground floor has now been outlined by North Lincolnshire Council, which runs this 200-year-old landmark in the town centre.
The ground floor will be providing not only tourist information as it has for decades, but also helpful advice to local small businesses - along the lines of what was offered by the South Humber Business Advice Centre (SoHBAC) in the 1980s and 1990s from nearby 7 Market Place (adjoining the top of Cary Lane).
The ground floor of the Buttercross now hosts what is called the Business Support and Tourism Centre.

FROM NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

A new Business Support and Tourism Centre has opened in Brigg, in a major boost for North Lincolnshire’s visitor economy.
Housed in the iconic Buttercross building, the former Tourist Information Centre has been transformed following refurbishment works.
MP for Brigg and Goole, Andrew Percy, along with ward councillors Carl Sherwood and Rob Waltham (pictured above), was one of the first people to to visit the new centre which will showcase a huge variety of experiences and tourist attractions across the area.
Now, the centre will also offer a dedicated space to support businesses, including selling and showcasing local products, as the region bounces back from the pandemic.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “I am delighted to see the new centre open its doors. The Buttercross is a much-loved mainstay of the Brigg community and to see it take on a new lease of life is fantastic.
“This facility will become a real focal point for our visitor economy, providing a one-stop shop for both visitors and local businesses to access information and support.
“With restrictions lifting, we can look forward to the summer with excitement. We have some amazing attractions on our doorstep and now is the time to now is get out there and support them, our local retailers and restaurants, safely.”
As well as offering businesses a platform to showcase their products and services, they will also be able to consult Growth Hub advisors – receiving expert advice on areas including finance, publicity, business planning and funding.
The flexible facility will provide a base for the North Lincolnshire Tourism Partnership and the Events Network to operate from, serving as an important networking and workshop space for event organisers across the area.
The opening of the new Business Support Centre coincides with the Government-backed launch of the ‘Welcome back’ campaign across North Lincolnshire, encouraging people to visit their market towns, shop local and support our businesses.
News of the Business Support and Tourism Centre follows the transformation of another historic Brigg building.
The Angel reopened last Autumn as a community hub, as part of North Lincolnshire Council’s £5m community investment programme.
As well as accessing advice and guidance on all aspects of council services, residents can also enjoy a children’s library and community kitchen. The facility also features a variety of flexible training, activity and community rooms, open access computers and even an innovative ‘magic table’ to provide games and stimulation for people with a cognitive challenge, from children with autism to older people with dementia.
The Business Support and Tourism Centre is open to the general public on Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 9am and 2pm. Outside of these hours, visitors are able to access tourist information via a touch screen in the Angel community hub.

N.F. ADDS: Changes at the Buttercross came to the fore at Brigg Town Council's latest meeting. Questions were asked by local resident Ken Harrison during the Public Participation section. He suggested "disquiet" and confusion in some people's eyes about the current provision of visitor and tourist information within the Buttercross and the nearby Angel building. Coun Waltham immediately responded and made public the council's intention to provide business and tourism services. The authority later issued extensive details (seen above). The upper floor of the Buttercross continues to operate as a function room which can be hired. Brigg Town Council's latest meeting was held there.
This topic being of considerable public interest, Brigg Blog will have more to say about it in another post over the coming days.

Picture credit: North Lincolnshire Council.