A new board has been elected to steer Weymouth's foremost business lobbying group, with a remit focused on securing the group's renewal at a crunch vote later this year.

Weymouth Business Improvement District met on Friday to welcome new members of the Board of Directors, and to discuss plans to ensure the BID is continued from June.

The new directors will join pub owner Richard Lamb, who was appointed as the BID's new chair last month.

They comprise James Winchester from Coversure Insurance; Stephen Bassett from Londis; Dennis Spurr from the Fantastic Sausage Factory; Martin Weaver from the Richmoor Hotel; and Chris Truscott from McDonalds.

The new board members will sit alongside existing directors Ian Ferguson from Weyline Taxis; Tamsin Mutton McKnight from Sea Life Adventure Park; Julia Cohen from Weymouth College; and Jennifer Owen from Marks and Spencer.

Mr Spurr, owner of the Fantastic Sausage Factory on St Mary Street, said he felt 'strongly' that the BID was a force for good in Weymouth. "It now has a new strong board of directors and management team, and I believe that with us all working together we can achieve something really positive for the area.”

Mr Truscott, owner and operator of the town's McDonalds franchises, said “I passionately believe that Weymouth has a unique opportunity to capitalise on the natural assets that the area has to offer and that it is our role as local businesses to play our part in extolling the virtues of the town.

"All businesses in the area can benefit by ensuring that Weymouth continues to be a vibrant and attractive destination for both locals and visitors to enjoy.”

Mr Winchester of Coversure Insurance said: “My speciality is business insurance and I understand that businesses that work together, with themselves and with the community, have better and fewer claims, so the BID makes perfect sense in that aspect."

The Weymouth BID board is still on the look-out for new directors and steering group members to come forward to ensure there is a cross-section of the town's business community represented. It is in particular looking for representation from independent retail businesses and the service sector. Anyone interested should apply to info@weymouthbid.co.uk or contact the BID Office on 01305 779410.