It is with sadness that I have read and heard local residents applaud the proposed change of use of Brewers Quay.

I believe that the loss of the only free, indoor attraction will affect Weymouth's prosperity in the long run.

Brewers Quay is on the coach run, and many people come back to Weymouth for longer holidays after a day trip to Brewers Quay.

Holidaymakers – the lifeblood of our town – know where to go in wet weather.

The Time Walk, the history of local brewing, the interactive science world of Discovery – are these all to be lost?

Where will we ‘Light a Life’ for Weldmar Hospice, and will dear Santa be out in the cold?

Where will we go for unusual gifts and for a little bit of old-fashioned magic?

I have been told to ‘think of the jobs a 90-bed hotel will bring’, but what of the 100 jobs lost if we lose Brewer's Quay – are all the staff to become chambermaids?

So, can I say to all the management and staff at dear Brewer’s Quay, thank you for all the years of keeping locals and holidaymakers dry.

Also for the choirs at Christmas, for your unsung charity work, for housing Weymouth Museum at no cost to the local council, and most of all, for being really lovely people.

You will all be missed and Weymouth will regret your loss.

Christine Bean, Greenways, Portland