THIS year's long, hot summer when temperatures reached record levels, had an adverse effect on visitor numbers at the Secret Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms.
"This has been a difficult summer for indoor attractions," said Neil Willcox, head of access and heritage for Shropshire County Council.
Bad impact
"The Secret Hills does better on overcast, drizzly days and the really good weather perversely had a bad impact on visitor numbers."
Mr Willcox said the centre would have had about 43,000 visitors by the end of December. Only about half of these actually enter the 'paying' part of the centre. The other half visit the cafeteria and perhaps the Onny Meadows but don't pay for the simulated balloon flight or the exhibition.
"We are expecting a report by consultants by the end of November. This will address this problem and the revenue implications," he said.
Mr Willcox added: "Research about a year ago had calculated that the effect of 40,000-plus visitors would contribute about £400,000 to the local economy."
"The Secret Hills is an enterprise that's more than just the people who visit it. They spend money in the area, go to other attractions possibly, buy food and drink, petrol and so on," he said.
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