CHRISTMAS events organised by Weymouth's Business Improvement District were described as 'a disaster that didn't deliver' at the group's AGM.

Chairman Steve Newstead also revealed that levy payers will get a vote in future as the board bowed to pressure.

Weymouth traders hit out at the BID after it was revealed that levy payers, who fund the BID by paying rates throughout the year, can no longer vote on who is appointed in the organisation's board or on any decisions the BID makes.

The AGM meeting was held last night in the Ocean Room at the Weymouth Pavilion.

Mr Newstead, said: "We don't always get it right but everyone in business makes mistakes. The BID does need some changes and we are aware of that."

Dennis Spur, from the Fantastic Sausage Factory, highlighted his anger of Weymouth's BIG Christmas, organised by the BID, labelling the opening night as the "worst Christmas" switch on Weymouth has ever seen.

He said: "There was nothing happening at my end of the town. It was dead. I've been here 17 years. It was wrong this year."

Mr Reed said: "We can look at Christmas and see what worked and what didn't. Maybe we need to move the opening night back to a Thursday. But this is something we can look at."

Store managers complained that although they opened late they "hardly saw a soul".

Andrew Cook, who owns a business in the town, said: "I feel that Christmas didn't really deliver much. I think Christmas was a little bit of a disaster."

Dorset Echo:

As reported in the Echo on Monday a group of Weymouth traders hit out at the BID accusing it of a lack of transparency.

Spearheaded by restaurateur Bob Rezaei, the group were frustrated and disillusioned by the controversial Weymouth BID, and were calling for change ahead of the AGM.

At the meeting Cllr Francis Drake expressed his frustration as the loss of their voting rights but Mr Newstead assured him that the vote "will come back".

The BID has split opinion since its conception three years ago, and has provoked further anger by revealing that levy payers can no longer vote.

The BID, which has around 550 businesses and organisations that pay levies, raises between £300,000 and £330,000 each year and its main aim is to attract more people into Weymouth town centre.

The reason levy payers cannot have a say is because when it was launched as a limited company, it created its Articles of Association (AoA), which set out its aims and objectives, as well as its business plan.

Following its launch, the then board of directors also created a constitution, but following last year’s AGM which saw angry scenes, the BID took legal advice and discarded its constitution and now only abides by its AoA, meaning levy payers can’t vote on any issue.

Levy payers were also keen to know how much members of the BID, specifically Nigel Reed were paid.

Cllr Drake said: "I can go online and see what the chief executive of the local council gets paid so we should be able to see what Nigel Reed gets paid."

Levy payers at the meeting also accused the BID of spending too much on advertising.

Talking statistics Mr Newstead showed that there was a 58.2 per cent increase in footfall when events such as the Out Loud Festival are held and talked of future aims for the BID in its five-year plan.

The introduction of town centre wardens, new parking incentives and improved pedestrian signage were seen as a high priority for 2016.

The BID will also be holding four forums throughout the year.

When asked if the BID will be supporting the Weymouth Carnival this year, Mr Newstead said: "We think the carnival is a Weymouth tradition and is worth saving and we would love to support it this year."

Mr Newstead was also encouraging more traders to become directors on the BID.

Kim Newstead, who manages the William Henry with husband Steve, said: "My like for like sales have gone up. I think the BID is fantastic. The levy payers aren't utilizing the BID.

"Go to the BID with a business plan, like we did with the Best Bar None scheme and ask them for money. They gave us £5,000. I see how hard my husband is working and he is doing a great job."