STREET performers and artistic murals are part of plans to brighten up Weymouth and ‘bring a buzz’ to the town.

Borough councillor Jeff Cant is on a mission to transform the town into a year-round cultural destination.

He has been working with various creative organisations, including Mike Hoskin, who runs Arts Development Company for Dorset, Kate Wood, of Activate Performing Arts and Alan Rogers from B-Side to ‘bring something new to our streets’ as part of regeneration plans.

Cllr Cant, who is the briefholder for finance and assets, said: “One of the greatest challenges for Weymouth and Portland and its business community is to build our reputation as a great all year round place to visit rather than a sunny day location with great views.

“My vision is that, as part of bringing more visionary building to the borough we find a place for something on our streets which draws the crowds year in year out.”

A report out recently backed up the view that Weymouth’s economy is highly seasonal, with thousands more visitors in the summer than over the winter months.

Tourists contributed £218m to the Weymouth and Portland economy in 2014.

Cllr Cant said that the talent of street performers could be harnessed to add to the street scene.

“With an imaginative use of space together with some kind but firm screening of the talent we entertain on our streets we have the potential to bring a different buzz to the town.”

Murals and creative makeovers are also part of the plan to brighten up the town.

Grant funding for the project has already been established from the government, Cllr Cant added.

“More art in the borough is not just a vanity project. We desperately need everything we have to encourage more, better paid and year round employment for the generations of working age who want to make life in such a great location. A more interesting borough adds another string to this bow.”

As plans move forward, Cllr Cant called for residents to get involved.

“I will be working with Tony Hurley, the borough officer with arts in his portfolio, and with Jason Osborne our councillor with the tourism brief to put together a realistic plan to begin to bring some of these things to life.

“Our fellow residents need to be engaged in the project to make it work. This won’t be uncontroversial, we will have those who want no change as well as those who want something we struggle to accept.”

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