PLANS to move Malvern's Tourist Information Centre into the Lyttelton Well took a major step forward this week.

This week, Malvern Hills District Council agreed to open negotiations with Great Malvern Priory about the move.

If an agreement is reached, the council would pay rent on the building and remain responsible for employing staff and promoting the district.

The council says it needs to save £1.45million from its budget by 2021 due to government funding cuts.

An earlier proposal to move the TIC to the council house off Avenue Road generated opposition led by town centre traders, including a 500-name petition.

It had to be abandoned after Priory Lodge Hall - which would have been demolished in the proposal - was listed by English Heritage.

On Tuesday, the council's executive committee voted unanimously to approve the latest proposal.

Cllr Paul Cumming proposed the motion and committee chairman David Chambers seconded it.

Cllr Cumming said: "This is a very good opportunity to recover from the setback we had earlier. It will keep the TIC going with an improved service on offer."

Cllr Tom Wells said: "I thoroughly welcome this proposal to associate ourselves with the Priory, a grade-one listed building which is one of the jewels in Malvern's crown. It can only be a good thing."

The relocation will need to happen early in the financial year 2019/20 if the necessary savings are to be achieved.

A report to Tuesday's meeting said: "Initially consideration was given to accommodating the TIC within Great Malvern Priory itself.

"However the Priory is in the process of relocating their parish office out of its existing location within the Lyttelton Well courtyard. This relocation frees up this self-contained unit and provides the opportunity for the TIC to take it on.

"The unit is central to the town just off Church Street and adjacent to the Lyttelton Well cafe and offers adequate space for the TIC function and facilities for staff.

"Whilst some adaptations and redecoration will be required, it is anticipated that, subject to agreeing a suitable lease, the unit could be made available for the TIC by March 2019."

If the move goes ahead, the premises currently occupied by the TIC, towards the top of Church Street, will be rented out or sold off.