The man who helped to set up Weymouth BID and has managed it for the last four years is leaving the organisation.

Nigel Reed is "moving on" as another job has come up.

Mr Reed, who has been the target of criticism over the way the BID is run and what it is doing for the town centre, says there is "nothing untoward" about his departure and he simply wants to pursue another employment opportunity.

His new job is not in Weymouth but Mr Reed, a former councillor and chamber of commerce president, will continue to live locally.

He said he was proud of what the BID had achieved and hoped its good work would continue encouraging more people into town and improving Weymouth's fortunes.

Mr Reed started to pursue the idea of setting up a Business Improvement District in 2011, while also working full-time running the Basepoint business centre.

BIDs gives local businesses the power to ‘raise funds locally to be spent locally’ on improving their trading environment.

Mr Reed won support from the council and following a vote, the BID was set up in 2013, initially focussing on attracting people to the town in the 'shoulder months' by organising festivals and events. The BID has supported a range of projects helping to promote the town, aid businesses and raise the area's profile.

A consultation is set to take place over whether the BID should continue for another five years after 2018.

The BID has had its fair share of critics however and over the years there have been concerns expressed over the way it is run, its finances, the events it has organised, and claims it is not providing value for money.

Two key figures resigned in 2014 following stinging criticism at the AGM.

Some business owner protested against the BID earlier this year by failing to pay levy fees and were taken to court.

Mr Reed said: "We were the 87th BID when we set up and there is now 230 in the country. I would like to see it continue in the future and a lot of other people would too. Believe it or not there's a lot of people who are supportive and understand what we are doing."

On criticism of the BID, Mr Reed said: "I never anticipated quite as much, but talking to people in other BIDs it's not unusual. When I have met other managers we've found we're all doing the same stuff and have the same issues.

"A lot of the issues that have been raised locally have turned out to be untrue, it's just one of those things.

"It's all been set up correctly, we're all democratically elected, the BID has a five-year plan it has to stick too, and still some people don't understand."

Weymouth BID said it would be recruiting a new manager for the role.

Chairman Steve Newstead will take on the management of the BID with support from the board, staff and support businesses until a new manager is appointed.

Mr Newstead said: “I would like to thank Nigel for his involvement in a BID for Weymouth and hard work over the last four years setting up the BID operationally.

"The process of employing a new manager has already begun as well as planning the activities for Weymouth’s BIG Christmas with the BID team.”

Taxi boss Ian Ferguson has been appointed vice chairman of Weymouth BID with responsibility for communications.

Mr Ferguson, of Weyline Taxis, has recently joined the board. He was one of the first levy payers to use the 'We Are Weymouth' branding using the “We Welcome” brand on many of his taxis.

Mr Ferguson said: “I have always been supportive of the BID and felt that much of the good work the BID does needs to be made clear particularly with plans for a renewal ballot in 2018.

"I felt it was important to be active and join the Weymouth BID Board."

He added: “I am happy to speak with any levy payer on any subject or issue they would like to raise. As a business owner in Weymouth, I know the importance of a BID to my business and town as a whole.”