CALLS were made today to give struggling Weymouth a much-needed boost.

Campaigners have called for a taskforce to set out a vision for the future of the borough’s tourism in the wake of council cuts. Borough councillors are to discuss further cutbacks at a meeting tomorrow.

It comes as a report is published which states that seaside towns like Weymouth are at the ‘end of the line’ for many opportunities.

Labour’s Shadow Culture Minister Dan Jarvis launched the policy review paper after assessing economic and social conditions in resorts.

It says towns like Weymouth were at the end of transport routes, balancing new businesses and technologies while also retaining the tourist market. Development of the area requires a ‘distinct vision’.

Focusing on Weymouth’s fishing industry, the report says fishing fleets are the ‘lifeblood of the economy’ but only have licences for a small percentage of the fish quota.

Towns like Weymouth also have a high proportion or poor quality housing, converted from former guesthouses and hotels, the report says.

The report also states tourism is a vital industry in Weymouth and since the economic downturn the ‘staycation’ trend has returned.

Last month, traders in Weymouth welcomed a forecasted multi-million pound boost as Dorset soared into the top 10 of staycation destinations.

The county is number six in the Travelodge’s annual holiday index after missing out in last year’s chart.

The Olympics last year helped to revive the feelgood factor and the borough has benefited from £177million worth of funding for facilities, regeneration and transport projects.

But many traders and hoteliers in the town centre reported takings down last year as the predicted extra 30,000 visitors failed to materialise.

This summer, one of the warmest on record, has seen a surge in visitor numbers and been a boost for the town.

But campaigners believe there is a lot more to do if the town is to survive.

The borough council says there is significant potential for the borough to increase its share of the domestic tourism market, which already generates a tourism visitor spend of £160 million each year and employs 4,000 people that equates to 14 per cent of all local employment.

A council report says the borough has retail, entertainment and service businesses at a ‘disproportionate level’ to the population and therefore the economy needs a consistent and regular influx of visitors to maintain and increase business levels.

Weymouth Hoteliers, Guesthouses and Leaseholders’ Association chairman Dave Price said: “Weymouth is heavily reliant on the tourism trade and should have seen developments following the great Olympic coverage last year.

“Instead we’re seeing possible cutbacks with mentions of the fireworks and kite festival being axed.

“So far we haven’t grasped the opportunity that has been presented to us.”

Secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association Andy Alcock said: “It’s the inshore fishing field that is really suffering, and anything that helps the small fishermen will be greatly received. A lot of fishing trade is moving to Portland because it currently offers better mooring funds and facilities – despite being further to travel.”

Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South Dorset Simon Bowkett said Weymouth faced ‘unique challenges’.

He said: “I will be working with local people, businesses and industries to formulate an economic strategy for our town, reflecting its vibrant heritage as a tourist destination and fishing port and it’s even brighter future.”

 

Vision needed for future

CALLS were made today to give struggling Weymouth a much-needed boost.

Campaigners have called for a taskforce to set out a vision for the future of the borough’s tourism in the wake of council cuts. Borough councillors are to discuss further cutbacks at a meeting tomorrow.

It comes as a report is published which states that seaside towns like Weymouth are at the ‘end of the line’ for many opportunities.

Labour’s Shadow Culture Minister Dan Jarvis launched the policy review paper after assessing economic and social conditions in resorts.

It says towns like Weymouth were at the end of transport routes, balancing new businesses and technologies while also retaining the tourist market. Development of the area requires a ‘distinct vision’.

Focusing on Weymouth’s fishing industry, the report says fishing fleets are the ‘lifeblood of the economy’ but only have licences for a small percentage of the fish quota.

Towns like Weymouth also have a high proportion or poor quality housing, converted from former guesthouses and hotels, the report says.

The report also states tourism is a vital industry in Weymouth and since the economic downturn the ‘staycation’ trend has returned.

Last month, traders in Weymouth welcomed a forecasted multi-million pound boost as Dorset soared into the top 10 of staycation destinations.

The county is number six in the Travelodge’s annual holiday index after missing out in last year’s chart.

The Olympics last year helped to revive the feelgood factor and the borough has benefited from £177million worth of funding for facilities, regeneration and transport projects.

But many traders and hoteliers in the town centre reported takings down last year as the predicted extra 30,000 visitors failed to materialise.

This summer, one of the warmest on record, has seen a surge in visitor numbers and been a boost for the town.

But campaigners believe there is a lot more to do if the town is to survive.

The borough council says there is significant potential for the borough to increase its share of the domestic tourism market, which already generates a tourism visitor spend of £160 million each year and employs 4,000 people that equates to 14 per cent of all local employment.

A council report says the borough has retail, entertainment and service businesses at a ‘disproportionate level’ to the population and therefore the economy needs a consistent and regular influx of visitors to maintain and increase business levels.

Weymouth Hoteliers, Guesthouses and Leaseholders’ Association chairman Dave Price said: “Weymouth is heavily reliant on the tourism trade and should have seen developments following the great Olympic coverage last year.

“Instead we’re seeing possible cutbacks with mentions of the fireworks and kite festival being axed.

“So far we haven’t grasped the opportunity that has been presented to us.”

Secretary of the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fishermen’s and Boatmen’s Association Andy Alcock said: “It’s the inshore fishing field that is really suffering, and anything that helps the small fishermen will be greatly received. A lot of fishing trade is moving to Portland because it currently offers better mooring funds and facilities – despite being further to travel.”

Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for South Dorset Simon Bowkett said Weymouth faced ‘unique challenges’.

He said: “I will be working with local people, businesses and industries to formulate an economic strategy for our town, reflecting its vibrant heritage as a tourist destination and fishing port and it’s even brighter future.”

 

Group to look at tourism

COUN Ian Bruce, who is the borough council’s tourism spokesman, said that the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is already setting up a group to look at tourism.

He said that local people and tourism figures are being nominated to sit on the panel.

Coun Bruce, left, said that the newly approved Weymouth Business Improvement District could also take a role.

“They are also very much into ways everything can be improved.”

He urged Mr Julian to drop him a line about his ideas so he could try and feed them into the process.

“I wouldn’t want to pour cold water on anyone who wants to contribute to the discussion that is going on.”

Coun Bruce said that there may be moves in the pipeline to place more benches around town.

He said that he would welcome the idea of an elected mayor.

He added that the serving mayor, Coun Ray Banham, had been a great enthusiast for the development of the seafront and keeping the theatre.