WEYMOUTH will have a tourist information office after all this summer with one run privately out of a seafront gift shop.

Staff will be serving candy floss, gifts – and holiday advice – for visitors in the new venture.

It is the idea of Chris Steadman whose son Tom is the man behind Tom & Erin’s ice cream parlour on The Esplanade which opened last year.

Tom, a former police officer, has now also opened a gift shop nearby in the premises formerly occupied by Christopher Robin.

As well as selling gifts, refreshments and fancy dress, a tourist office will operate from the shop, and should be up and running by the Easter weekend.

Weymouth Bay Holiday Park will also have a presence there.

There has already been a lot of interest in the new venture.

Chris Steadman, who used to run kiosks on the beach and the cafe on the Pleasure Pier and is now retired, has convinced Tom to open the office.

It comes amid anger over the decision by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to close the TIC it operates at the Pavilion at the end of May to save money.

The council intends to continue the service in some form and investigations are ongoing.

Chris Steadman says their enterprise is separate from anything the council has planned.

He said: “We’re sympathetic to the economic situation and realise that money has to be saved but Weymouth is a seaside town and relies on tourism. We’re going to incorporate a tourist information service in the shop. That part of the operation will be an independent, non-profit-making service.

“It fits in with the tourist profile of the business and it’s at a central location that’s easy to get to.

“It’s a coincidence we’re doing this as the other one is closing.

“When we took over the lease in January we stated what we wanted to do so it’s not completely new.”

Mr Steadman added: “It’s disappointing the TIC is closing. The council missed an opportunity when they moved it from the seafront and put it out of the way at the Pavilion.

“We think information should be available to people at a seafront location.”

A dedicated member of staff knowledgeable about the local area will be employed to run the tourist office.

As well as being an information point, there are plans for a booking service for coach trips and bus service information.

Tom Steadman ‘took the plunge’ and set up his own business last year after nine years with Dorset Police, deciding he wanted a change and spend more time with his four-year-old daughter Erin.

He said: “Last summer wasn’t too bad but everyone’s expecting this year to be busier.”

...Meanwhile, at the old place

THE seafront building that used to be home to the Weymouth TIC is likely to be used as a cafe and shop this summer.

The beachfront building has been empty since last summer.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council wants someone to transform the ageing site into a new and exciting facility but in the meantime has been looking for someone to take on a short-term lease for part of the complex.

The building comprises a shop unit – formerly the TIC, and later the London 2012 shop – the former beach control office, and a catering kiosk which used to be Alison Cocks’ Beach Cafe.

Council spokesman for finance and assets Peter Chapman said: “The borough council continues to welcome offers and ideas for the long term usage of the beach office building.

“To ensure the building is in use for the summer season we are now in discussions with potential tenants to let the beach office building as a cafe and shop over the summer on a short term lease while the long term future of the building is decided.”