THE state and federal governments have vowed to work with Cadbury to get a new tourism experience off the ground, after the chocolatier announced plans to shut down its visitor centre before Christmas. Cadbury parent-company Mondelez said visitation to its "outdated" Claremont visitor centre and shop was steadily declining, insisting the company could not pump money into it. A Mondelez spokesman said the company would instead focus on funding its core manufacturing operation, with 11 jobs to be shed from the visitor centre. "We undertook to explore all options possible to keep the centre open - including reviewing proposals from private investors," a spokesman said. "Unfortunately none of the proposals presented a suitable solution which would allow the Claremont visitor centre to continue." State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said he would engage with Cadbury to find an alternative. "It's important to remember Cadbury has invested heavily in Tasmania to the tune of $100 million over the past five years, and is committed to an ongoing future here," he said. Luke Martin from the Tasmanian Industry Council of Tasmania said the centre was the final tie to a once-iconic tourism experience. "We really should not give up on the opportunity to get a quality offering using a different model," he said. "It's got to be a standalone experience on the site, rather than one tied to the factory directly." Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck said the most important thing was that Cadbury remained a sustainable business in Tasmania. But state opposition tourism spokesman Scott Bacon said Senator Colbeck must stand up and fight for those facing the sack. "We certainly hope a solution can be found to keep the visitor centre here at Cadbury open into the long-term and make sure not only those jobs can be kept here but also that those jobs can grow into the future," Mr Bacon said. The tourism experience at the confectionary maker's Claremont base was to be the beneficiary of a $16 million federal grant, but in March the factory announced it would have to renege on the deal, unable to stump up its $50 million share.
THE state and federal governments have vowed to work with Cadbury to get a new tourism experience off the ground, after the chocolatier announced plans to shut down its visitor centre before Christmas.
Cadbury parent-company Mondelez said visitation to its "outdated" Claremont visitor centre and shop was steadily declining, insisting the company could not pump money into it.
A Mondelez spokesman said the company would instead focus on funding its core manufacturing operation, with 11 jobs to be shed from the visitor centre.
"We undertook to explore all options possible to keep the centre open - including reviewing proposals from private investors," a spokesman said.
"Unfortunately none of the proposals presented a suitable solution which would allow the Claremont visitor centre to continue."
State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said he would engage with Cadbury to find an alternative.
"It's important to remember Cadbury has invested heavily in Tasmania to the tune of $100 million over the past five years, and is committed to an ongoing future here," he said.
Luke Martin from the Tasmanian Industry Council of Tasmania said the centre was the final tie to a once-iconic tourism experience.
"We really should not give up on the opportunity to get a quality offering using a different model," he said.
"It's got to be a standalone experience on the site, rather than one tied to the factory directly."
Tourism Minister Richard Colbeck said the most important thing was that Cadbury remained a sustainable business in Tasmania.
But state opposition tourism spokesman Scott Bacon said Senator Colbeck must stand up and fight for those facing the sack.
"We certainly hope a solution can be found to keep the visitor centre here at Cadbury open into the long-term and make sure not only those jobs can be kept here but also that those jobs can grow into the future," Mr Bacon said.
The tourism experience at the confectionary maker's Claremont base was to be the beneficiary of a $16 million federal grant, but in March the factory announced it would have to renege on the deal, unable to stump up its $50 million share.
