Thanks for all your comments folks - they are very useful to us.
When I say the new maps are being redesigned, I maybe wasn't being very clear - the actual maps won't be changed in their overall look and these are still designed by the Forestry Commission who supply them to us, the 7stanes CIC. Instead, we will be producing what could be called a 'Trail Guide' for each stane which will contain the map itself (the most updated version FCS have) as well as some health & safety information, information on the stane, information on how far away the other stanes are, etc.
Our main aim is to make the 7stanes CIC self-sustaining and the maps are a way of us generating income. Importantly though, they are a response to the comments we have been receiving from individuals and businesses that the free maps were being thrown away, which is obviously not very environmentally friendly! We figured that if we made the maps waterproof, a bit easier to fold up and put in your pocket, and charged for them then people would be less likely to throw them away. The maps will be priced at £2, and will also be available online as a set once our online shop is up and running.
Stevemtb, you mentioned that you tend to get a map if it's a new centre and then you never see it again. There are probably a fair few people who do the same, but there's also probably a lot of other people who would love to have something to take home as a souvenir, maybe to show their friends which trail they did, or just to keep as something a reminder of their day.
We have looked at apps too, and this is something that I personally believe would definitely worth a try - maybe if the map sales generate enough income we could look into this further!
ChrisL - thank you for providing more information on the thinking behind the maps, you got it pretty much spot on! I was probably being rather rude in my first post on this thread by not introducing myself - my name is Melissa and I'm the Development Executive for the 7stanes CIC. I manage all the social media channels we have including the Facebook page where this was originally posted (and Twitter and our YouTube channel), as well as the website. I'm also managing the re-design of the trail guides. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.
p.s. I should probably mention that we don't have responsibility for maintenance of the trails - this still sits with the Forestry Commission.