WEYMOUTH Business Improvement District (BID) has hailed its first BIG Christmas a success despite the total expenditure for the month-long event totalling nearly £90,000.

The BID board agreed a December promotion based on feedback that a one or two-day event in previous years did not create enough activity to encourage visitors to Weymouth over the Christmas period.

The total expenditure for the Christmas event came to £87,618.09 with an income of £32,089.09 through tickets sales, sponsorship and market stalls. This gave a total cost of £54,779 for the 2015 event.

Christmas in Weymouth was centred on a real ice rink as the main 'hook' to bring people into the town, costing the BID £45,476.50 with an income of £21,275.59 from ticket sales. This gave a total cost of £25,278.34 for the ice rink as a standalone item. More than 2,500 people, both local and visitors used the ice rink.

BID manager Nigel Reed said: "Springboard footfall figures for the month indicated an increase in people in the town and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council confirmed that even with the parking promotion car park income remained the same, which indicates an increase in usage over the period."

However some BID levy payers have argued against the footfall figures as they do not believe it is an accurate way of measuring activity in Weymouth.

Mr Reed added: "The footfall is purely movement past the camera but we are very confident that it works. The one by Argos that has been running for more than a year - when we are busy in the town it matches that. This Easter the footfall has increased by 27 percent compared to last year. But the hardest thing is working that out to the number of people. We are looking at other technology."

Shaun Hennessy, from Gunz Barbers, said the town needed "fresh ideas" to promote the town and shouldn't be resurrecting old events. He added the town should "lead by example" with its new ideas that should benefit the entire town.

Michelle Roberts, from Weymouth Lights, Darts and Gifts in St Thomas Street said she felt as if the Millennium Square area outside Debenhams is "favoured" and the rest of the town isn't considered with town events. She said: "There were no stalls past Fiona Penny's Florist on opening night and not much at all the rest of the town centre. The BID should push the council to have the whole of the town to be pedestrianised and cheaper parking as a start."

However, Debenhams manager Kate Hope believed the BIG Christmas, particularly the ice rink, was a "great introduction to the overall experience". She said: "I have discussed with Nigel and the team that perhaps next year it could be made to look more 'Christmassy' and a theme would be needed to great a greater impact. This is something myself and team would be more than happy to support with.

"With all projects there is always move for improvement, which can be achieved with the support from the Weymouth retailers."

Mr Reed added: "The BID’s aim is to increase footfall and visitors to the town particularly out of the main holiday season. This winter promotion helped increase activity in the town centre as well as advertising Weymouth as a destination open through the year.

"It provided a new attraction for locals and brought new visitors to the area as well as increasing activity to the We Are Weymouth website and social media with people signing up for regular information on the area.

"Should this promotion with the ice rink continue for 2016 the plans are to look at ways of using this attraction to move visitors to other areas of the town by promoting different areas that may be themed as well as looking at additional Christmas lighting."