Business leaders and councillors have welcomed the news that Weymouth will receive £3.8 million for an exciting project aimed at attracting visitors and boosting jobs.

As reported, the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project is among the successful recipients of Coastal Communities funding from the government to help revive seaside towns.

Weymouth’s Coastal Community team, which includes the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, Weymouth BID, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, the Weymouth Area Development Trust, Weymouth College and other business representatives, said it is “delighted” to have been awarded the significant funding which will provide a much-needed boost for the town.

Chris Wilson, chairman of the Weymouth Coastal Community team, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the news. The Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project will be a great ‘kick starter’ for the redevelopment of the damaged harbourside, and a boost for the small medium enterprises, both maritime and on land, that make up 82 per cent of our local economy.

“It has been a partnership and team effort from the start and we want to say thank you to all the people of the town that supported it.”

The funding will be spent on a multi-purpose harbour building, including a centre of excellence for enterprise, facilities for boat crews, accessible space for boat charter businesses, secure storage and facilities and new training facilities.

It will also be put towards the creation of new pontoons to improve access to boats, a pedestrian walkway around the peninsula and fishing improvements.

The bid was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community team by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and the community-led Weymouth Development Area Trust.

Dorset Council’s executive director of place, John Sellgren, said: “This project has been a really great example of collaborative working between the borough council and the community.

“I would like to thank the outgoing borough council for their efforts and financial support of £2.9m committed towards this project. We look forward to delivering an exciting and ambitious scheme for this area of the town.”

The funding follows a visit to Weymouth last year by coastal communities minister Jake Berry who heard the local case for regeneration.