A WEYMOUTH councillor has claimed the drop in the value of the pound could be a good thing for tourism in the town this summer.

Business groups spoke of ‘uncertainty’ and urged the government to do all it could to maintain stability amid fears of job losses.

Many UK holidaymakers travelling abroad will pay more for foreign currency as the pound plunged to its lowest level since 1985.

Cllr Jeff Cant, campaign manager for the Leave group in Weymouth and Portland, said: “What I do think might happen is that whilst the pound drops in value against the Euro, it will encourage people to spend more money in the UK.”

He added: “I’m positive that we will have a good tourist season.

“This isn’t really a time for triumphant crowing from anyone – it was a close vote.

“One of the hopes that I have is that at some point in the future, a form of European cooperation will emerge that’s better adapted.

“I’m sure we’ll all come back together at some point in one way or another.”

Nigel Reed, manager of Weymouth BID, agreed with Cllr Cant’s comments but said it is difficult to predict long term.

He said: “I think the concerns at the moment is a decision was made and the focus has moved away from Brexit whilst the two main parties focus on internal issues whereas the focus should be on the plan on how this will work. Business is all about planning and this uncertainty does not help.

“The decision I believe surprised a lot of the business community but business is about adapting to the circumstances I think initially it is difficult to say what the impact will but there is a presumption that imported goods may rise in price.

“With regard to tourism for Weymouth and Portland this decision and other factors on travelling abroad may actually see an increase in tourism locally, certainly in the short term with the drop in the value of the pound and this has been widely accepted in the media.

“Outside of that it is difficult to predict tourism in the longer term following Brexit and we will have to see whether this will effect employment in the tourism and hospitality trade.”

Michelle Hind, president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, added: “Financially we are going to see a decline before we see any benefits. The chamber will do all it can to support businesses.”