A MAN who led a campaign for Weymouth to become a Business Improvement District (BID) has become the project’s new manager.

Nigel Reed will oversee the delivery of a business plan which will spend £300,000 a year enhancing Weymouth town centre as part of the BID’s plans to boost visitor numbers.

The Weymouth BID was voted in while Mr Reed was chairman of the BID.

Traders went to the polls in May and voted ‘yes’ for the town improvement scheme.

Mr Reed saw off competition from 12 other applicants from across the country to win the role.

He said: "I am extremely pleased to be offered the position and whilst at the beginning this was not the role I had intended for myself, through working on the BID over the last 22 months, I felt that I had the skills needed to deliver the business plan once the ‘yes’ vote was achieved.

“This is an important stage in the BID’s progress with a new mix on the board of original steering group and new members representing all the levy payers.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of delivering the business plan and ensuring that levy payers see a real benefit from the BID over the next five years."

Barrie Huett, chairman of the Weymouth BID, said Mr Reed had been ‘instrumental’ in leading the Weymouth BID and Steering Group over the past 22 months.

He added: “Myself and the board of Weymouth BID Limited are eager to start work on delivering the BID business plan.

“Candidature for the BID manager role was particularly strong but Nigel’s enthusiasm for the BID and passion for Weymouth shone through making him an obvious choice.”

The Weymouth BID management board will meet again August 14 to continue the setting up of the BID for the official start date of September 1.

Among the plans the BID wishes to implement are re-introducing the Weymouth wayfarer volunteers following their success during the Olympics, introducing a new market and introducing a new festival.

See weymouthbid.co.uk for more information.