A local business has decided to set up a new Tourist Information Centre for Weymouth on its premises.

Dorset Cottage Holidays on King Street, near to the Jubilee Clock Tower, recently refurbished their offices, converting half of the space to accommodate a Tourist Information Centre

The old Tourist Information Centre was relocated to the Pavilion from its base on the Esplanade and then closed in April 2013, prompting major concern among tourism providers locally.

A TIC was operating from the Colwell Centre on School Street but, as the Echo reported earlier this month, those buildings have been shut and will be turned into flats.

Dorset Cottage Holidays is a locally owned and run holiday letting agency, based in Weymouth and Corfe Castle. The company is family owned and has been established for 20 years.

The company director, Leanne Hemingway, believes there is need for more tourist information. She said: "Visitors to Weymouth and Portland spend over 218 million pounds a year, with over five million day visits to West Dorset alone, and yet surprisingly, there is no dedicated Tourist Information Centre in the town.

"Local businesses with a clear interest to promote tourism in the area can step in to provide services where needed. In our Corfe Castle branch we also provide tourist information services, but the new offices in Weymouth provide a larger platform for information to be displayed. We invite local attractions and events to display their literature free of charge.

"With the recent loss of Weymouth Carnival, it is clear that local businesses should step up and help the local community provide services to improve the experience of visitors to the area. Dorset Cottage Holidays hope that opening the brand new, and very much needed TIC will go some way to frontlining the cause."

Inside the new TIC, you will find plenty of literature displays that local attractions, eateries, producers and events can use to showcase the best attractions in West Dorset.

Staff at Dorset Cottage Holidays have been trained to provide information to guests. However, for the busy months, they are looking for some volunteers with local knowledge to assist visitors. Anyone who is interested can contact Leanne Hemingway by emailing leanne@dhcottages.co.uk