28th April 2010

WEYMOUTH: Concern over relocation of tourist office to the Pavilion

BUSINESS people have criticised the proposed move of Weymouth’s Tourist Information Centre from the King’s Statue to the foyer of the Pavilion Theatre.

Weymouth and Portland council plan to complete the move by the late Spring bank holiday at the end of May.

Leisure spokesman Brendan Webster said: “The number of people visiting the TIC in its current position is dropping while the Pavilion is also teetering on the brink of existence, so if both have to stand alone then both could fail.

“Combining them will give each a much stronger and more efficient offering, especially as the town’s focus has moved from the seafront to the harbour and Hope Square in recent years.”

But Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism president Nigel Reed said: “It is intriguing that the principle is to take two assets that the council runs — both at a considerable loss — and presume that by merging them this will somehow alleviate the deficit.

“While I can appreciate the provision of a new ground floor café in the Pavilion foyer, merging the TIC does not make business sense.

“The TIC is based where it is to maximize footfall and its usage. As they say, location, location location!”

Chamber secretary Michel Hooper-Immins said: “Being at the Pavilion may be useful in August with lots of people at that end of the beach, but think of it on a wet November day. Who will want to walk to the other end of the seafront then? This move has been attempted once before and had to be reversed within a short time.”

Alison Cocks runs the Beach Cafe behind the TIC and said: “I think it’s ridiculous, a complete waste of time. It works very well where it is. If it’s not broke, don’t try to fix it.”

Local boatowner Paul Compton, of White Motor Boats, was concerned that a relocated TIC might not have space to display all local leaflets.

He said: “The Information centre is at the heart of the town and in just the right place to serve visitors arriving by bus, train and coach. It’s doing a good job where it is. Don’t rob Peter to pay Paul!”

WEYMOUTH: Concern over relocation of tourist office to the Pavilion

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