Common sense says there should be a visitor centre for Sellafield. Common sense should also be saying that it should be as close to Sellafield as visitors are allowed to get, which isn't in Whitehaven. Why don't people have any common sense these days???

I know 18 million seems a lot however consider when it was open during summer the visitors centre was getting over 1000 visitors a day !! Hundreds of thousands of people will have passed through the doors of the visitors centre improving there understanding of the nuclear industry and educating those uneducated anti-nuclear groups.

The value of the visitors centre over the generations to the community has been massive and admittedly it is a shame it is now closed however the value to the community has been been worth much more than 18 million.

I think the way that the editors at the Whitehaven News spin articles so that they are negative. Over recent weeks it has become apparent that following the MRWS decision there has been a negative article in the paper each week. Similarly the editors do the same with Copeland BC and Cumbria CC. The local new should be an unbiased media not designed to encourage anti nuclear groups but to inform and provide members of the public with the information to make there own informed decision. Disappointing

@A James
I thought we all knew Summergrove was a massive white elephant? Outdated and not really fit for purpose, tried to diversify into weddings which also didn't bring in enough cash to support the staff and rates therefore CLOSED!

How long could YOU support a hotel (or similar) from your own pocket at a cost of thousands per week?

By the way, the Visitors Centre has been rented out recently to gain some income.

@Chris Bond
Ever heard of "the internet" matey? Just do a "search" on "Sellafield". Use a "search engine" like Google or MSN or Alta Vista.

I am 34 yrs old and all through my childhood, and adult life I have tried to get to Sellafield and never managed it. Now with a daughter of my own we are caravanning in Ravenglass with the thought of not only fulfilling one of my childhood dreams but doing this with my wife and daughter. I am truly saddened to hear it is closed. How do we now sell the thought of nuclear power to future generations? How can we want to be a self sufficient nuclear country when we can't promote what we are recommending is best.

Truly gutted and so sorry for the people and businesses in the area that it will affect

What an absolute disgrace! This was a taxpayer built facility that I had intended to visit this week whilst in the area. Switchboard & Office staff less than helpful and with 'attitude' about explaining the closure. Where do I go now to get information, knowledge and background to the Nuclear industry? Whoever took the decision to close this facility should hang their head in shame as they clearly know the cost of everything but the value of nothing!

Mortified! Can no longer take our guests to this venue. Young physicists disappointed

I too am upset that the visitors centre is closed, we were looking forward tovisiting and now have number of children and adults who will miss out.

I visited the centre several times with my children and they loved every minute of it .Its a shame it is no longer open

I am holidaying in Cumbria this summer and am most disappointed that the centre is closed. There must be others like me. Surely this is a missed opportunity to engage with people on nuclear issues, and to attract visitors to the area.