Having been actively engaged with promoting business activity in this part of Dorset for half-a-century, I feel compelled to raise a few concerns that I and others often talk about with regards to Weymouth & Portland, more particularly with regards to Weymouth.

While I feel too many people appear to enjoy knocking Weymouth, I do think any joined-up leadership is lacking, and has been ever since the gifted 2012 Games. So where are we heading? Who’s leading the way?

The removal of the seafront TIC was, of course, a mistake that’s been admitted and its loss still seems to be of no consequence to the borough’s leaders.

The fact that we have so readily given up on the daily weather reports recorded so faithfully by Bob Poots appears not to matter; yet for the relatively minimal cost-savings, we have lost national identification and publicity of vital statistical information that was relayed to the world via the media at large.

It is interesting to see that the Colwell Shopping Centre looks likely to close (ironically home to our new TIC) and the comments from both BID and the Chamber are disappointing. Naive to say the least is the suggestion that the few businesses that currently trade from Colwell should simply branch out and explore other opportunities that exist from empty shops in town-centre. Places such as Colwell and the Basepoint units are precisely the reason that small businesses are keen to be tenants of low rents and easy-in/easy-out contracts.

The vast majority of empty commercial units in town are beyond the reach of small businesses; and they remain unoccupied because of this.

Incidentally, in general Weymouth has enjoyed a very buoyant Easter and those that suggest the town has lost its desirability should be encouraged that footfall has been amazingly high. Whether or not all businesses have shared the prosperity is possibly debatable, but seemingly the resort has not lost any of its sparkle when it comes to attracting visitors. And there are new businesses coming to town, slowly.

I,m like others, are concerned also that Weymouth & Portland Borough Council has lost its power to West Dorset District Council - we don’t even have an official town guide, whereas all other local Dorset towns have rather attractive glossy guides - check them out at the TIC in Dorchester’s Antelope Walk.

We should be proud of what we’ve got and - yes - we should hanker after even more; but I and others remain unconvinced that our leadership actually is leading us anywhere.

David Johnston

Weymouth