The controversial decision to move Diss Tourist Information Centre (TIC) to the town's main arts venue has been defended by the councils involved in the scheme.

The TIC by the Mere is relocating to Diss Corn Hall next year – leading to anger from residents and visitors to the town.

The TIC is run by South Norfolk Council but is due to pass into the hands of Diss Town Council.

Both councils say the move to the Corn Hall was arranged in a deal key to securing major investment into the Heritage Triangle Project, which is seeing a £1.6m refurbishment of the hall.

A South Norfolk Council statement said: 'The understanding that Diss Town Council would take on the running of the tourist information service was part of an agreement that saw South Norfolk Council invest £400,000 in the Heritage Triangle Project.

'The investment from the council helped to unlock the £1.65 million lottery funding that made the project possible.

'As part of those discussions it was agreed that the tourist information service would move to Diss Corn Hall in order to attract tourists into the Heritage Triangle and support the project's ambition to become the cultural centre of Diss.

'We continue to work closely with Diss Town Council, which is managing the project, regarding the timing of the move.'

The Corn Hall improvement will be completed early next year as part of the £3.1m heritage project.

A town council statement said: 'Diss Town Council agreed to take on delivery of the tourist information service as part of the funding agreement with South Norfolk Council which was essential to ensure the deliverability of the £3.1m project of which the town council is a key partner.

'It does not have the resource to deliver the service from its current site but by locating it at the Corn Hall it is hoped that footfall will be increased throughout the whole town centre.'

Have you got a Diss story? Email anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk