A WEYMOUTH businessman has set up a tourist information point to join a network of privately-run centres.

Dave Allan, who runs historical tours of the town, has set up the visitor information point at the Weymouth Timewalk Heritage and Visitor Centre in Trinity Street.

It is one of several sites around the town in answer to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s plea for businesses to set up information points following the closure of the Pavilion tourist information centre in April.

Mr Allan said: “The council has given us permission to operate as an approved tourist information centre.

“We would like to get the message out there that we are here.

“We also run a charitable heritage centre, which has applied to become a registered charity.

“I wanted to set the centre up because I used to market my historical tours through the TIC.

“I thought why not set up our own one because we know a lot about the area.”

The council opened a TIC point at the Harbour Office on Custom House Quay and another opened at the end of May at the council offices at North Quay.

Mr Allan said: “We’re fully manned and open weekends.

“I think it’s really important that there are people here to talk to visitors face-to-face.

“It’s absolutely vital for the town to have a centre because people don’t want to use the internet when they’re here looking around, they want someone to speak to in person.

“We’ve got leaflets and information on local attractions, details about transport in the area and we’re looking at doing last-minute bookings for accommodation.

“There’s been quite a lot of footfall since Brewers Quay reopened but we really want to get the message out that we’re here.”

The Weymouth Timewalk Heritage and Visitor Centre is open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm.