Outrage at plans to close Weymouth Tourist Information Centre (From Thisisdorset)

“ I am completely outraged that this decision has not been made with public consent.”

"Brilliant, he used the word "outrage" - we can use that in the headline even though it's just one bloke calling it an outrage! Right, anybody know what "public consent" means in the context of a democratically elected local council...anybody?"

Mrs Howe said: “...I don't see why Weymouth, as a tourism town, shouldn't have a TIC when both Dorchester and Bournemouth have them.”

Maybe that's because both Dorchester and Bournemouth have lots of things going on that visitors can be told about at their TIC's. Our council have spend a lot of money and time stripping every attraction and venue out of the town. I'm sure that the beach would be removed if they thought it possible, since it costs so much to keep up.
The TIC being shut should come as no surprise to people. It was doomed as soon as it was moved to the Pavilion because the Pavilion closure was on the list way before the TIC move.

portlandboy wrote:
Mrs Howe said: “...I don't see why Weymouth, as a tourism town, shouldn't have a TIC when both Dorchester and Bournemouth have them.”

Maybe that's because both Dorchester and Bournemouth have lots of things going on that visitors can be told about at their TIC's. Our council have spend a lot of money and time stripping every attraction and venue out of the town. I'm sure that the beach would be removed if they thought it possible, since it costs so much to keep up.
The TIC being shut should come as no surprise to people. It was doomed as soon as it was moved to the Pavilion because the Pavilion closure was on the list way before the TIC move.

Could you please list all the attractions and venues that the Council has stripped out of the town.

Why don't they relocate the TIC to the Library or that attached building that was supposed to have been an Arts Centre?

Maybe Bluebird Coaches could be persuaded to handle TIC activities from their office near the Kings Statue, in conjunction with the local authority - I`m sure it could benefit both parties.

Simon N.

Simon Nicholas wrote:
Maybe Bluebird Coaches could be persuaded to handle TIC activities from their office near the Kings Statue, in conjunction with the local authority - I`m sure it could benefit both parties.

Simon N.

Nice suggestion.

What is it with weymouth council, They are trying to promote a ghost town, return theTIC to the esplanade, add a wheelchair hire, and promote the local area, NOW

Why not return the TIC to its old building which is standing empty on the seafront and doing the town no favours as it stands there.

JamesYoung wrote:

Simon Nicholas wrote:
Maybe Bluebird Coaches could be persuaded to handle TIC activities from their office near the Kings Statue, in conjunction with the local authority - I`m sure it could benefit both parties.

Simon N.

Nice suggestion.

And perhaps the hotel keepers would pay for the TIC?

Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

this is a joke right!.

There's an empty building at the King's Statue, where a TIC used to be. Perhaps that would be a great place to have a TIC? I know, how about moving it back in there, and admitting that putting it in the Pavilion didn't work? The phrase 'we told you so' comes to mind. But, what do we know?

As a reflection of national political leadership, we have a local council that seems to know the price of everything and the value of nothing

Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors.
How are visitors supposed to find these 'Wayfarers', are visitors to wander around the streets with their luggage until they happen on one of them?

Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors.
How are visitors supposed to find these 'Wayfarers', are visitors to wander around the streets with their luggage until they happen on one of them?

Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors.
How are visitors supposed to find these 'Wayfarers', are visitors to wander around the streets with their luggage until they happen on one of them?

Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors.
How are visitors supposed to find these 'Wayfarers', are visitors to wander around the streets with their luggage until they happen on one of them?

Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors.
How are visitors supposed to find these 'Wayfarers', are visitors to wander around the streets with their luggage until they happen on one of them?

Having been a supporter of Ms Howe and her petition prior to the closure of the original TIC building, I am incensed to find we are now in this mess.

At the back of my mind, I think the "council's" intention for that empty building, is for it to become a food retail outlet.

If that is the case, surely one of the many empty shops could be assigned to serve as a temporary TIC building for the season. I am equally sure there would be enough knowledgeable people who might like to work there in a voluntary capacity. If anyone feels strongly enough about this, then they would I'm sure.

Funds would be required but that could be addressed via the hotels/boarding houses etc who are said to be supporters of the town retaining some form of TIC.

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

What do you expect after years of Labour and socialism. Those on the left think Money grows on trees and Daddy welfare state will magic some more out of it's backside.

The cuts for me have not gone anywhere near far enough. All the time there is one penny of taxpayers money in public art, diversity, equality etc...you know they must still have too much money to waste!

On the whole relocating the TIC to the Pavillion away from its central location was a disaster. I lost count of the number of tourists asking me where it was, and when I told them, it was clear they had little intention of going there.

All you ever hear about is funding cuts. How is anything going to remain in the future if less and less money is directed at it. Unless policy changes are made nothing will exist the whole situation is ludicrous. Weymouth is a lovely town but it keeps shooting itself in the foot recently. It's a great resort with a great beach and coastline, not to promote it is hard to comprehend.

The Ivy Tea Rooms are currently hosting the remains of the Museum, surely a local business, along with the council can organise a joint venture they will benefit both that business and tourism.

If action is not taken soon in this town it's popularity will decline along with the necessary income to maintain it.

I don't really like drawing comparisons to other towns but many of them seem to be coping in these troubled economic times. Why is Weymouth struggling so much. Now is the time to act to produce a coherent plan, publically supported, that will stop the decline.

It's ok suggesting there would be 'Ambassador Style' people wandering the town. But, during the Olympics last year, when we asked some of them questions to test them out about their local knowledge, some just made up the information, because they didn't know the answer, and some pointed us to the TIC at the Pavilion to get the answer we needed!! Oh, and when it rained, some of them didn't show up for work! Do you know why? Because they're volunteers!!

My husband and I have been visiting Weymouth every year for a few years. We love the area and enjoy exploring. We loved visiting Brewers Quay and couldn't understand it closing. Now you are closing the TIC. Luckily we have been visiting long enough to know our way around, but it won't make it easy for new visitors. It would be a shame if your council didn't advertise itself more. I have also seen the decline in your town centre just as it has in Sheffield, I don't know what the answer is, but our councils must have got similar mind sets. Anyway we will be visiting later this year so hope nothing else has closed!

sparkleeye wrote:

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

What do you expect after years of Labour and socialism. Those on the left think Money grows on trees and Daddy welfare state will magic some more out of it's backside.

The cuts for me have not gone anywhere near far enough. All the time there is one penny of taxpayers money in public art, diversity, equality etc...you know they must still have too much money to waste!

Cuts have gone quite far enough thank you....or can you not remember where this money is coming from? Our taxes.....and now we are being told we will be getting naff all for it...Austerity does not work....nothing grows if you starve it ...you don't need to be Brian Cox to work that out.

Donkey Oatty wrote:

sparkleeye wrote:

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

What do you expect after years of Labour and socialism. Those on the left think Money grows on trees and Daddy welfare state will magic some more out of it's backside.

The cuts for me have not gone anywhere near far enough. All the time there is one penny of taxpayers money in public art, diversity, equality etc...you know they must still have too much money to waste!

Cuts have gone quite far enough thank you....or can you not remember where this money is coming from? Our taxes.....and now we are being told we will be getting naff all for it...Austerity does not work....nothing grows if you starve it ...you don't need to be Brian Cox to work that out.

You can thank Labour for spending it all ! While I agree some things are being cut I don't think should be, but there are many things we can do without quite happily that were introduced under Labour. Austerity does not work, well spending it all **** well didn't did it?

Hi Sheffield Sue, welcome to our town. We hope you enjoy your visit. We're sorry our council are so short sighted, and that they can't see the benefit that a TIC brings to a town, to help people like you, but fortunately, you do know your way around. However, you have highlighted a problem for new arrivals, who've seen Weymouth on the TV, and want to visit for the first time. At last, a chance to see the legacy in action, but, with no-one to welcome them!

"Co-ordinator of the Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID) Nigel Reed said there are plans for 'Weymouth Wayfarers', people on the streets providing information to visitors, similar to Olympic Ambassadors. "

Fnerf.
So if one wanted a Bus timetable, one would be expected to track down one of these Weymouth Wayfarers during their perambulations and intercept them, would one?

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

Let's hope so very fervently. Then maybe WDDC can take over, who, whatever people may feel about their new Offices, do seem to do a reasonabel job; Dorchester TIC has always provided a very good service.

At the moment, the only way that anyone, resident or visitor, can get any information about 'bus services, is to go to the TIC. Without it First will have no option but to reopen their office on the Esplanade. This will inevitably result in even more First services being cut.

The knock on effects of closing the TIC in Weymouth are beginning to show. Businesses will suffer, and the local economy will soon follow. I hope councillors are reading this.

satisfecho wrote:

portlandboy wrote:
Mrs Howe said: “...I don't see why Weymouth, as a tourism town, shouldn't have a TIC when both Dorchester and Bournemouth have them.”

Maybe that's because both Dorchester and Bournemouth have lots of things going on that visitors can be told about at their TIC's. Our council have spend a lot of money and time stripping every attraction and venue out of the town. I'm sure that the beach would be removed if they thought it possible, since it costs so much to keep up.
The TIC being shut should come as no surprise to people. It was doomed as soon as it was moved to the Pavilion because the Pavilion closure was on the list way before the TIC move.

Could you please list all the attractions and venues that the Council has stripped out of the town.

The council are responsible for the loss of many of the towns shops and guest hoses due to the high rents they ask for. They have mis-managed, bled dry and ultimately sold off OUR assets which include the swimming pool and inner harbour, they have failed to maintain OUR assets including the outer harbour which has left us with no ferry and little or no need for tourists to come here. They failed to manage or maintain the Pavilion which has led to it's current situation. Some years ago they made a wonky deal to rebuild OUR town centre and WE were left with a building site. They closed the Brewer's Quay area which housed OUR museum and a good visitor attraction, which will ultimately be left to rot. All of these things and many more besides have left the council with no income and, as a consequence, US with no attractions or even a need for a TIC. Who needs a TIC to find the beach?

I am a relatively new resident to Weymouth and am really shocked at the un-business-like mentality of the Council. A facility like the Pavillion should have generated substantial profits. Marketing is relatively simple, find out what folks want, provide it for a fair price and the crowds will come. I read somewhere that the Council were ****-a-hoop that they averaged approximately 37% occupancy for the Christmas panto and made £10,000 profit. Really, I dont consider 37% a success. Better marketing and an improved pricing structure would have generated far higher seat sales. In addition, once inside the venue one has the opportunity to add sales... food, drinks, programmes etc. I'm sure local restaurants could have been enticed to join in "dinner and show" deals which equates to win win for all concerned. The closure of the Tourist Office also beggars belief. The commissions from attractions, hotels, B&B's etc for sending people in their direction would, if run properly, also generate a profit.
Seriously, can you imagine a French tourist town lying down and letting this happen?

The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Get a grip wrote:

JamesYoung wrote:

Simon Nicholas wrote:
Maybe Bluebird Coaches could be persuaded to handle TIC activities from their office near the Kings Statue, in conjunction with the local authority - I`m sure it could benefit both parties.

Simon N.

Nice suggestion.

And perhaps the hotel keepers would pay for the TIC?

Why don't they join forces with the Weymouth college in the shop they have in town,then the tourism students at college could run it and get experience?

Joining forces is all very well, but you need to make sure you've the right service, the right products and even more important - the right people! Opening up a shop and calling yourself a Tourist Information Centre, and being able to offer what the TIC actually offers are different things. I reckon between them, there must be at least 50+ years of TIC experience in that Pavilion TIC. Simply opening up and trying to offer a service with limited skills is not really going to cut the mustard. It's an idea yes, and something to fill a gap, but it must be operated correctly. I wouldn't want to go into a travel agent to find that the person serving me knows nothing about the industry, and just works there to provide a service.

Slightly off topic, but methinks Iampuzzled/Isosceles
/Howlin Wolf may have a multiple personality disorder!

portlandboy wrote:

satisfecho wrote:

portlandboy wrote:
Mrs Howe said: “...I don't see why Weymouth, as a tourism town, shouldn't have a TIC when both Dorchester and Bournemouth have them.”

Maybe that's because both Dorchester and Bournemouth have lots of things going on that visitors can be told about at their TIC's. Our council have spend a lot of money and time stripping every attraction and venue out of the town. I'm sure that the beach would be removed if they thought it possible, since it costs so much to keep up.
The TIC being shut should come as no surprise to people. It was doomed as soon as it was moved to the Pavilion because the Pavilion closure was on the list way before the TIC move.

Could you please list all the attractions and venues that the Council has stripped out of the town.

The council are responsible for the loss of many of the towns shops and guest hoses due to the high rents they ask for. They have mis-managed, bled dry and ultimately sold off OUR assets which include the swimming pool and inner harbour, they have failed to maintain OUR assets including the outer harbour which has left us with no ferry and little or no need for tourists to come here. They failed to manage or maintain the Pavilion which has led to it's current situation. Some years ago they made a wonky deal to rebuild OUR town centre and WE were left with a building site. They closed the Brewer's Quay area which housed OUR museum and a good visitor attraction, which will ultimately be left to rot. All of these things and many more besides have left the council with no income and, as a consequence, US with no attractions or even a need for a TIC. Who needs a TIC to find the beach?

You need to do a bit more research before you bleat.
The council did not close Brewers quay!!
It is privately owned and always has been.
Most commercial property in Weymouth is privately owned. The council has no say in the rents charged or indeed the business tax which is set by the Government.
Selling council assets to the private sector such as the swimming pool is actively encouraged and almost forced on local authorities across the country by government. Its the capitalist free market way of doing things.

Esio Trot says...
Slightly off topic, but methinks Iampuzzled/Isosceles

/Howlin Wolf may have a multiple personality disorder!
Who are they?

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

I think what they meant was that £1,000,000 worth of business was generated for the local economy, by the TIC sending people to guest houses, restaurants, attractions, buses, taxis, trains, shops and gift outlets rather than being taken as cash at the TIC.

What's this all about? More **** ups by Weymouth Council ? Ok, I am outraged. Right....coffee time....

Those in charge seem incapable of fighting their way out of a paper bag.

You have to put your attractions on display to attract the punters and their dosh.

We need ambassadors on the streets, and a TIC. A few leaflets on the shelf in the local pubs just isn't the same.

Perhaps we should just put up a big fence with 'Sorry, Weymouth is closed until further notice'..

comments have suggested that holiday makers will arrive here with their luggage but with no TIC will not be-able to find a hotel.......... seriously...when I called the TLC for some help with finding a b&b with disabled access all I got was a list of names and told to ring them...
Most people are able to find the beach... the pavilion doesnt matter as nothing will be on... the shops are closed so anyone wanting a bus out of town just look at the timetables at the stops!
Hotels and b&bs carry a selection of leaflets on local attractions with times price and direction.

Two points about spending in support of tourism: Tourism is a major business sector in Weymouth and brings income from outside the area, and therefore benefits just about every other sector. In fact it is difficult to think of a sector which does not benefit. Even manufacturing has gained, the Relief Road would not have been built without tourism. Secondly, Weymouth is in competition with every other tourism destination and they all have Tourist Information Centres, they all provide services to visitors, they all advertise. If Weymouth does not compete it will lose out.

sparkleeye wrote:

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

What do you expect after years of Labour and socialism. Those on the left think Money grows on trees and Daddy welfare state will magic some more out of it's backside.

The cuts for me have not gone anywhere near far enough. All the time there is one penny of taxpayers money in public art, diversity, equality etc...you know they must still have too much money to waste!

Couldn't agree more with this post.We still need to cut further. Yet again the poor old working taxpayer has to pick up the bill of the feckless.
Austerity....don't make me laugh,we don't even know the meaning of the word.

A new tourist information office is being opened as part of Tom and Erins Gift shop on the Esplanade and formerley known as Christopher Robins.Its central location will prove to most beneficial to visitors and locals and will operate on a non profit basis. Why not call in and talk to the management

ddynammo wrote:
I am a relatively new resident to Weymouth and am really shocked at the un-business-like mentality of the Council. A facility like the Pavillion should have generated substantial profits. Marketing is relatively simple, find out what folks want, provide it for a fair price and the crowds will come. I read somewhere that the Council were ****-a-hoop that they averaged approximately 37% occupancy for the Christmas panto and made £10,000 profit. Really, I dont consider 37% a success. Better marketing and an improved pricing structure would have generated far higher seat sales. In addition, once inside the venue one has the opportunity to add sales... food, drinks, programmes etc. I'm sure local restaurants could have been enticed to join in "dinner and show" deals which equates to win win for all concerned. The closure of the Tourist Office also beggars belief. The commissions from attractions, hotels, B&B's etc for sending people in their direction would, if run properly, also generate a profit.
Seriously, can you imagine a French tourist town lying down and letting this happen?

You're not wrong. I think some people believe you can get something from putting little or no effort in. Well those opportunities or days are limited. We have a beach, that'll do it! Nope, it won't. Weymouth needs a structured basis. If you turn up here, whether on holiday or by chance and you can't find your way (or more importantly, miss an opportunity). Your not likely to have this place stick in your mind for recreation. Next time, they'll drive on by...

Get a grip wrote:

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

What you don't seem to understand is that most guest houses / hotels in Weymouth pay a huge yearly sum to the council for ground rent, they get nothing for it just pay over £20,000 a year to own a business in Weymouth. We pay to advertise in the TIC its not free. This is what I mean by the fact that tourism keeps the council afloat, its the main income to our economy.
Our biggest outlay is benefits and housing. I have never claimed any money from the council or the state but I pay to own a business and taxes, business rates and council tax etc etc, so 'Get a grip' we pay more than our fairshare as business providers from tourism - Can I get my moeny back now the council want to kill tourism? NO!

bedpans wrote:
A new tourist information office is being opened as part of Tom and Erins Gift shop on the Esplanade and formerley known as Christopher Robins.Its central location will prove to most beneficial to visitors and locals and will operate on a non profit basis. Why not call in and talk to the management

it's the first I've heard of that, and apparently the first the Echo's heard about it, since I haven't seen anything about it anywhere else. Is this an Exclusive?

The Echo were advised on Wednesday but havent followed the story up.

BEDPANS. You are clearly a local gossip (and fool) and as I am the owner of Tom & Erin's, I will put a small summary on here, so the public are kept in the loop, and dont get mislead by someone reporting to know about the facts , who in fact is an annonymous echo forum writer.
It is correct that part of Tom and Erins Gift Shop will be used as a tourist information centre. The full details on the exact operation will soon be published and we hope to provide further details in due course. If anyone does wish to find out more, you are always welcome to pop in. Regards.Tom Steadman. Owner.

Get a grip wrote:

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

You seem to conveniently forget that these same businesses you are moaning about also pay very heavily through their business rates to the council.... Didn't mention that did you !

Oh here we go, Grumpy Dave price is out and about again, you can tell its doom and gloom story when his grumpy face is involved. What does he actually do, is he employed by the echo to show up with a face like thunder when something goes wrong in weymouth?

Tom Steadman wrote:
BEDPANS. You are clearly a local gossip (and fool) and as I am the owner of Tom & Erin's, I will put a small summary on here, so the public are kept in the loop, and dont get mislead by someone reporting to know about the facts , who in fact is an annonymous echo forum writer.
It is correct that part of Tom and Erins Gift Shop will be used as a tourist information centre. The full details on the exact operation will soon be published and we hope to provide further details in due course. If anyone does wish to find out more, you are always welcome to pop in. Regards.Tom Steadman. Owner.

Tom, I see Bedpans is also a pain in the arris on here as well.

Bedpans = Fred H ;-)

The Muffler wrote:

Tom Steadman wrote: BEDPANS. You are clearly a local gossip (and fool) and as I am the owner of Tom & Erin's, I will put a small summary on here, so the public are kept in the loop, and dont get mislead by someone reporting to know about the facts , who in fact is an annonymous echo forum writer. It is correct that part of Tom and Erins Gift Shop will be used as a tourist information centre. The full details on the exact operation will soon be published and we hope to provide further details in due course. If anyone does wish to find out more, you are always welcome to pop in. Regards.Tom Steadman. Owner.

Tom, I see Bedpans is also a pain in the arris on here as well. Bedpans = Fred H ;-)

Its a shame that the first people heard about it, is from gossip. Thought I would get in first before anyone else tried to comment on something they know little about.

No need to have a TIC in any town these days. If people are visiting they'll have already researched where they want to visit. If all else fails there's this new thing called the Internet, most people even have access to it on their phones, to help them out if they get stuck!
Complete non story.
Free up the building and associated staffing / maintenance and fund something more worthwhile.

Ashers 5 wrote:

sparkleeye wrote:

Get a grip wrote:
Look we are all going to have to understand that the good old days are over.

Weymouth Council have no more money, they will go bust in 2 or 3 years time.

What do you expect after years of Labour and socialism. Those on the left think Money grows on trees and Daddy welfare state will magic some more out of it's backside.

The cuts for me have not gone anywhere near far enough. All the time there is one penny of taxpayers money in public art, diversity, equality etc...you know they must still have too much money to waste!

Couldn't agree more with this post.We still need to cut further. Yet again the poor old working taxpayer has to pick up the bill of the feckless.
Austerity....don't make me laugh,we don't even know the meaning of the word.

Thank you so many people simply do not understand.

Kelston Guest House wrote:

Get a grip wrote:

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

What you don't seem to understand is that most guest houses / hotels in Weymouth pay a huge yearly sum to the council for ground rent, they get nothing for it just pay over £20,000 a year to own a business in Weymouth. We pay to advertise in the TIC its not free. This is what I mean by the fact that tourism keeps the council afloat, its the main income to our economy.
Our biggest outlay is benefits and housing. I have never claimed any money from the council or the state but I pay to own a business and taxes, business rates and council tax etc etc, so 'Get a grip' we pay more than our fairshare as business providers from tourism - Can I get my moeny back now the council want to kill tourism? NO!

Oh dear if you are going to make a point then it is best if you provide the facts and not a distorted view that fits your argument.

So shall I point out your errors.

1) You are not paying a ground rent.
2) You pay a rent that reflects the value of the the asset.
3) So for your rent you do "get something back"
4) I am glad that you accept that you should pay to advertise your business and not looking for me to pay.
5) All business property pay business rates which goes to central government.

Next time please tell the whole story.

The point Get a grip ignores is that the council, taking considerable rents from these properties, needs to support them as it can. Instead we have seen years of underinvestment and now we are seeing withdrawal of basic support for tourism. This will have to be followed by disinvestment, that is selling off the rented properties in the hope of private investment and improvement. There is no evidence that the councillors and the officials have any sort of strategic plan for Weymouth tourism, but a major decline will inevitably hurt us all.

Phaedrus wrote:
The point Get a grip ignores is that the council, taking considerable rents from these properties, needs to support them as it can. Instead we have seen years of underinvestment and now we are seeing withdrawal of basic support for tourism. This will have to be followed by disinvestment, that is selling off the rented properties in the hope of private investment and improvement. There is no evidence that the councillors and the officials have any sort of strategic plan for Weymouth tourism, but a major decline will inevitably hurt us all.

I think he or she is spot on actually.
£20,000 a year in rent is a little over £1,500 a month. Many homeowners pay close to that in mortgage payments for a 3 or 4 bed house.
So to rent a hotel with 8 or more bedrooms in a prime location on a non repairing lease seems like very good value to me.
The rest of the costs are irrelevant. All businesses pay business rate and everybody has to pay council tax.
If the hoteliers don't like that the council can't spend as much on them as it used to then I suggest they sell up. Those hotels would take in a huge capital injection for the council if they were sold off as private hotels or for flats.

Mango man wrote:
No need to have a TIC in any town these days. If people are visiting they'll have already researched where they want to visit. If all else fails there's this new thing called the Internet, most people even have access to it on their phones, to help them out if they get stuck!
Complete non story.
Free up the building and associated staffing / maintenance and fund something more worthwhile.

Oh god, another technocrat. So let me get this straight; you go somewhere on holiday; perhaps it isn't sunny 100% of the time. I suppose that you'll have researched evey single place that might possibly be of interest beforehand, will you? And you'll have all their websites bookmarked on you IPhone, so you can refer to them at a moment's notice? That is more convenient than being able to call in somewhere and get a few suggestions or pick up a few leaflets?
What would you suggest would be something more worthwhile? Another Takeaway food outlet?

Nevertheless he is right. Most families would pull out the iPhone rather than walk along a rain swept sea front looking for the TIC.

But there are still a lot of people who do not have a smartphone, mainly elderly, who form a fair percentage of those who come to Weymouth outside peak season.

Why not invest in an external information system which does not need to be manned, and can be accessed 24/7.

Also create a weymouth tourism app which can work in conjunction.

JamesYoung wrote:
Nevertheless he is right. Most families would pull out the iPhone rather than walk along a rain swept sea front looking for the TIC.

Perhaps, than have to walk half a mile to the pavilion. If, though, it was in a sensible place, they wouldn't have to, would they? Besides, is it only people with Smartphones and similar electronic Gadgets that are likely to want to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth? And surely it's a lot easier to browse and perhaps see something that you hadn't heard of before, but might be interesting, among racks of leaflets, and perhaps be able to ask the staff for suggestions, than look everything up on a Gadget? gadgets are only any use if you know the specific thing you're looking for.

There's already a Visit-Dorset 'App' which was produced for this very reason. But it's true: the 'grey pound', or those with a learning impairment, or even the visually impaired will probably use an 'electronic' service less, if at all, due to the fact that they simply find the face to face service more suited to their requirements, and use that as their way of being told where to spend their money. If they can't, then they're either more likely to go somewhere else, or simply not bother!

Weymouth is going downhill very fast, will there be anything left ........ last one out please switch the light off !!!!!!!!

Tom Steadman wrote:
BEDPANS. You are clearly a local gossip (and fool) and as I am the owner of Tom & Erin's, I will put a small summary on here, so the public are kept in the loop, and dont get mislead by someone reporting to know about the facts , who in fact is an annonymous echo forum writer.
It is correct that part of Tom and Erins Gift Shop will be used as a tourist information centre. The full details on the exact operation will soon be published and we hope to provide further details in due course. If anyone does wish to find out more, you are always welcome to pop in. Regards.Tom Steadman. Owner.

Tom thanks for your post it offers a clear insight into what will be happening with the TIC in the future. I did comment earlier that u thought it would be possible for a local business to operate with the TIC like the Ivy Tea Rooms and the museum. I look forward to looking at the full details when they are published. I'm not sure how the arrangement came about but that thanks for the forward thinking on this issue. I know folk like ipads, smart phones etc but its always nice to have a face to face and the best possible people to ask are those that actually live in Weymouth and know about it, especially those that actually want to promote tourism. I have access to the Internet and do research but I still love going into the TIC looking at what's on and just asking their opinion as to what I can do on any given day.

I'mavoter wrote:

Get a grip wrote:

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

You seem to conveniently forget that these same businesses you are moaning about also pay very heavily through their business rates to the council.... Didn't mention that did you !

Oh dear I'mavoter.
If you have to make up facts to support your argument you lose all credulity.
Business rates go direct to central Government not the council.

VaguelyPurple wrote:

JamesYoung wrote:
Nevertheless he is right. Most families would pull out the iPhone rather than walk along a rain swept sea front looking for the TIC.

Perhaps, than have to walk half a mile to the pavilion. If, though, it was in a sensible place, they wouldn't have to, would they? Besides, is it only people with Smartphones and similar electronic Gadgets that are likely to want to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth? And surely it's a lot easier to browse and perhaps see something that you hadn't heard of before, but might be interesting, among racks of leaflets, and perhaps be able to ask the staff for suggestions, than look everything up on a Gadget? gadgets are only any use if you know the specific thing you're looking for.

What's interesting is we are all assuming. We assume that young families use the internet and we are assuming that older visitors visit the TIC. Do we know how many people use it? Do we know where they come from For all we know, nobody uses the thing.
As for leaflets, most hotels i've ever stayed in contain racks of the things and there are usually free magazines in the rooms too.

melcombe boy wrote:

I'mavoter wrote:

Get a grip wrote:

Kelston Guest House wrote:
The fact that the council do not want to safeguard the towns economy is the biggest shock.
The councillors do not see a bigger picture, which is an enormous problem for the town. TIC brought in over a million pound last year, if it costs £100,000 to run a year that is a £900,000 profit, what other council departments have such a profit?
The loss of the TIC will not just have an impact on guest houses / hotels but tourist attractions, local events, festivals, restaurants, shops, cafes, self catering accommodation, taxi firms and bus routes.
Basically the whole economy of the town is in the balance here and the council cannot see it.
Cuts have to be made but you cannot cut the hand that feeds the town with income that is mad.

Sorry but the profit has gone into the pockets of those who have a business that supplies the holidaymaker but the cost falls to all the residents.

So my point is that this is not a profit but a direct payment from my pocket to yours

Can I have my money back please

You seem to conveniently forget that these same businesses you are moaning about also pay very heavily through their business rates to the council.... Didn't mention that did you !

Oh dear I'mavoter.
If you have to make up facts to support your argument you lose all credulity.
Business rates go direct to central Government not the council.

Thank you Melcombe boy

In cases like this I recall my maths teacher saying "fools rush in we're angels fear to tread"

Or in the case of I'mavoter has no idea about the world of business

JamesYoung: we do know that people use the TIC, if you read the article 222,000 people were recorded as visiting it last year. We also know that older people are less likely to use a smartphone, some do of course, there are plenty of statistics on this but if you doubt just consider the older people you know. Nor are smartphone usage and visiting the TIC mutually exclusive. Clearly there is real demand for TIC services and it is proposed the TIC close at the start of main season less than three months off while there is clearly no actual plan for what might be done to help visitors after that. What on earth are the council people thinking of?

The "council people" are presumably thinking "How can we afford to run a non-statutory service like Tourist Information which costs £100,000 pounds a year when the government has slashed 38% off the money it gives us?" It's not just this council - it's every single council up and down the country. Look at the news from Sheffield today about the athletics facility.

biggestoaf wrote:
The "council people" are presumably thinking "How can we afford to run a non-statutory service like Tourist Information which costs £100,000 pounds a year when the government has slashed 38% off the money it gives us?" It's not just this council - it's every single council up and down the country. Look at the news from Sheffield today about the athletics facility.

Yep, just about to post about Sheffield

http://www.bbc.co.uk
/news/uk-england-sou
th-yorkshire-2162700
3

satisfecho wrote:

biggestoaf wrote:
The "council people" are presumably thinking "How can we afford to run a non-statutory service like Tourist Information which costs £100,000 pounds a year when the government has slashed 38% off the money it gives us?" It's not just this council - it's every single council up and down the country. Look at the news from Sheffield today about the athletics facility.

Yep, just about to post about Sheffield

http://www.bbc.co.uk

/news/uk-england-sou

th-yorkshire-2162700

3

Unfortunately there is simply no more money in the purse.

Sad but true.

However the council needs to "sweat the assets" which includes not keeping prime property empty.

Charging an open market rent for all the property that they have let.

Yes this includes the Hotels.

Stop giving money to prop up lost causes.

Phaedrus wrote:
JamesYoung: we do know that people use the TIC, if you read the article 222,000 people were recorded as visiting it last year. We also know that older people are less likely to use a smartphone, some do of course, there are plenty of statistics on this but if you doubt just consider the older people you know. Nor are smartphone usage and visiting the TIC mutually exclusive. Clearly there is real demand for TIC services and it is proposed the TIC close at the start of main season less than three months off while there is clearly no actual plan for what might be done to help visitors after that. What on earth are the council people thinking of?

I hadn't spotted that little gem although I don't believe that for one minute. 222,000 people? How did they count or is this an Olympic estimate again?
If the TIC was open 8 hours a day, 365 days a year, that means 1 person made an enquiry every minute of every hour of every day for that whole year. And that would still leave 43,200 standing in the queue on 31st December. To me the answer is simple. Work out the cost of the TIC and allocate that across all tourist related businesses based on their revenue. It's a marketing cost for those businesses not the rest of us. We don't have a council run kiosk providing information about car showrooms or window cleaners, why do we provide free (or subsidised if they pay something already) services to hoteliers and tourism businesses?

Because lets be clear, these are services provided to businesses not tourists.

JamesYoung wrote:

Phaedrus wrote:
JamesYoung: we do know that people use the TIC, if you read the article 222,000 people were recorded as visiting it last year. We also know that older people are less likely to use a smartphone, some do of course, there are plenty of statistics on this but if you doubt just consider the older people you know. Nor are smartphone usage and visiting the TIC mutually exclusive. Clearly there is real demand for TIC services and it is proposed the TIC close at the start of main season less than three months off while there is clearly no actual plan for what might be done to help visitors after that. What on earth are the council people thinking of?

I hadn't spotted that little gem although I don't believe that for one minute. 222,000 people? How did they count or is this an Olympic estimate again?
If the TIC was open 8 hours a day, 365 days a year, that means 1 person made an enquiry every minute of every hour of every day for that whole year. And that would still leave 43,200 standing in the queue on 31st December. To me the answer is simple. Work out the cost of the TIC and allocate that across all tourist related businesses based on their revenue. It's a marketing cost for those businesses not the rest of us. We don't have a council run kiosk providing information about car showrooms or window cleaners, why do we provide free (or subsidised if they pay something already) services to hoteliers and tourism businesses?

Very good.

Just shove a signpost up near the clock: Slot machines this way, Condor berth that way (oops), Littlemoor Model Village over there. Cost about 10 quid. All over.

So the good readers of the Dorset Echo website believe that the formerly popular seaside resort Weymouth does not need a facility to provide information, both for tourists and for that favourite phrase of readers of the Dorset Echo website, "Locals", and then they never miss an opportunity to point out what a state the place is in? Do they really think that this will do anything other than exacerbate the State it's in? "Why", people say, "should Hotels get free publicity at the Taxpayer's expense?" because they attract visitors to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth. it's really not that difficult, is it? And it's not just, or perhaps even mainly, about Hotels; the point of it is that it's a one-stop shop for all sorts of information. If people really believe that it's more convenient to find out this information on their portable electronic Gadget, then I'm afraid you really have been seduced by the salesmen of electronic gadgets, and perhaps you might just be slightly gullible.

I've never seen the TIC anything but busy. Hoteliers pay a full commercial rate for advertising in the brochure plus TIC services which may be of little direct benefit. I know of no other tourism destinations that have no information service. It is normal for local authorities to support important local business sectors. We really do need to support tourism, it is just too important to Weymouth to ignore. The TIC may not be the most cost-effective means but it is foolish indeed to close it without fully working out how tourism will be supported into the future.

Phaedrus wrote:
I've never seen the TIC anything but busy. Hoteliers pay a full commercial rate for advertising in the brochure plus TIC services which may be of little direct benefit. I know of no other tourism destinations that have no information service. It is normal for local authorities to support important local business sectors. We really do need to support tourism, it is just too important to Weymouth to ignore. The TIC may not be the most cost-effective means but it is foolish indeed to close it without fully working out how tourism will be supported into the future.

Phaedrus, if this was a commercial enterprise, it would have gone under. Therefore, the hoteliers are not paying "a full commercial rate".
The idea that tourism is a magic word that means that taxpayers have to subsidise marketing for these businesses is just silly. There are plenty of other businesses in the area that also contribute taxes and employment. Can you provide specific examples of where the local council supports, through subsidy of premises (non repairing leases at below commercial rates), provision of free marketing services, etc?

VaguelyPurple wrote:
So the good readers of the Dorset Echo website believe that the formerly popular seaside resort Weymouth does not need a facility to provide information, both for tourists and for that favourite phrase of readers of the Dorset Echo website, "Locals", and then they never miss an opportunity to point out what a state the place is in? Do they really think that this will do anything other than exacerbate the State it's in? "Why", people say, "should Hotels get free publicity at the Taxpayer's expense?" because they attract visitors to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth. it's really not that difficult, is it? And it's not just, or perhaps even mainly, about Hotels; the point of it is that it's a one-stop shop for all sorts of information. If people really believe that it's more convenient to find out this information on their portable electronic Gadget, then I'm afraid you really have been seduced by the salesmen of electronic gadgets, and perhaps you might just be slightly gullible.

What you are saying is that we should put money directly into the pockets of hoteliers and tourism business owners, just because they provide employment and pay taxes.
I wonder what the local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc, think of that?

perhaps the plan is that with no TIC 'tourists' will arrive in the town center but with no knowledge of attractions outside the town they will just spend the day shopping and eating in our wonderful town and then do it all again the next day.

James. You say – “I hadn't spotted that little gem although I don't believe that for one minute. 222,000 people? How did they count or is this an Olympic estimate again?”
.
James, I’ve looked at the statistics, which are available for public consumption. It would appear that the 220,000 is a genuine number. In fact, it’s likely to have been more than that. The number represents enquiries, whether it’s people going in to the TIC, telephone enquiries, email enquiries, postal enquiries, facsimile enquiries (yes people still use them). There’s a counter in the entrance to the Pavilion, which counts the number of people walking towards the counter. It doesn’t count them on the way out, so it’s pretty accurate. It doesn’t tell you what they came in for, but this information can be obtained by looking at the type of business conducted over the years.
.
James, it’s true, most accommodation providers have leaflet racks in their establishments. Why not? They’re a great way of providing visitor information. But, do they also provide services like National Express coach bookings, First bus passes, Tickets to local events and concerts, accommodation bookings for other establishments, restaurant advice, public transport planning services, train information, discounted attraction tickets, bookings for trips, tours and walks? Probably not. Do they have the specialist knowledge that has been built up over the last goodness knows how long, and know precisely where to direct people all the time in almost every circumstance? Probably not. In fact, you could bet that whilst a TIC costs money to operate, the money they generate for the local economy is probably worth far more than anyone can imagine. Closing it can only have the reverse effect.
.
Biggestoaf, it’s true; it does cost money to run. You’re right, it’s non-statutory, but it plays a part in telling people where to spend their money. It makes money indirectly for the town, and that has to be worth something? There’s all these talks about cutting and closing, and no talk of investing and generating.
.
As for being for businesses and not tourists... If it weren’t for the businesses benefitting from having a TIC, they would be closing a lot faster than they are at the moment wouldn’t they? Surely anyone can see that with less money being spent in the economy, businesses will struggle even more?
.
James, you mention the “local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc”. All these businesses benefit from having a TIC, because the TIC encourages people to spend money in the town. If they want a newspaper, they’re directed to a newsagent. If they’re moving to the area and want to get a bus timetable, they can support bus drivers! They may want landscaping in their garden when they’ve moved here, and they’ll probably call the TIC to get numbers of people who offer such services, because do you know why? It’s cheaper than calling directory enquiries, and it’s the sort of thing people call their TIC for. They do that, even though it’s not Tourist related. I’ve called them myself, to find out the number of estate agents, and been given a comprehensive list, which has been great. I’ve also used them to book my National Express tickets, and renew my Son’s bus pass. Doesn’t that help a driver?
.
You’re not looking at the effects on the economy a TIC has. It’s massive! You don’t realise it, because you’re clearly not a customer, but we understand, and we can see that losing the TIC is like drilling a huge hole in the base of a ship.

JamesYoung wrote:

VaguelyPurple wrote:
So the good readers of the Dorset Echo website believe that the formerly popular seaside resort Weymouth does not need a facility to provide information, both for tourists and for that favourite phrase of readers of the Dorset Echo website, "Locals", and then they never miss an opportunity to point out what a state the place is in? Do they really think that this will do anything other than exacerbate the State it's in? "Why", people say, "should Hotels get free publicity at the Taxpayer's expense?" because they attract visitors to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth. it's really not that difficult, is it? And it's not just, or perhaps even mainly, about Hotels; the point of it is that it's a one-stop shop for all sorts of information. If people really believe that it's more convenient to find out this information on their portable electronic Gadget, then I'm afraid you really have been seduced by the salesmen of electronic gadgets, and perhaps you might just be slightly gullible.

What you are saying is that we should put money directly into the pockets of hoteliers and tourism business owners, just because they provide employment and pay taxes.
I wonder what the local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc, think of that?

Public sector workers

woodsedge wrote:

JamesYoung wrote:

VaguelyPurple wrote:
So the good readers of the Dorset Echo website believe that the formerly popular seaside resort Weymouth does not need a facility to provide information, both for tourists and for that favourite phrase of readers of the Dorset Echo website, "Locals", and then they never miss an opportunity to point out what a state the place is in? Do they really think that this will do anything other than exacerbate the State it's in? "Why", people say, "should Hotels get free publicity at the Taxpayer's expense?" because they attract visitors to come to once popular seaside resort Weymouth. it's really not that difficult, is it? And it's not just, or perhaps even mainly, about Hotels; the point of it is that it's a one-stop shop for all sorts of information. If people really believe that it's more convenient to find out this information on their portable electronic Gadget, then I'm afraid you really have been seduced by the salesmen of electronic gadgets, and perhaps you might just be slightly gullible.

What you are saying is that we should put money directly into the pockets of hoteliers and tourism business owners, just because they provide employment and pay taxes.
I wonder what the local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc, think of that?

Public sector workers

:-). You get a point for that one :-)

prestonpete wrote:
James. You say – “I hadn't spotted that little gem although I don't believe that for one minute. 222,000 people? How did they count or is this an Olympic estimate again?”
.
James, I’ve looked at the statistics, which are available for public consumption. It would appear that the 220,000 is a genuine number. In fact, it’s likely to have been more than that. The number represents enquiries, whether it’s people going in to the TIC, telephone enquiries, email enquiries, postal enquiries, facsimile enquiries (yes people still use them). There’s a counter in the entrance to the Pavilion, which counts the number of people walking towards the counter. It doesn’t count them on the way out, so it’s pretty accurate. It doesn’t tell you what they came in for, but this information can be obtained by looking at the type of business conducted over the years.
.
James, it’s true, most accommodation providers have leaflet racks in their establishments. Why not? They’re a great way of providing visitor information. But, do they also provide services like National Express coach bookings, First bus passes, Tickets to local events and concerts, accommodation bookings for other establishments, restaurant advice, public transport planning services, train information, discounted attraction tickets, bookings for trips, tours and walks? Probably not. Do they have the specialist knowledge that has been built up over the last goodness knows how long, and know precisely where to direct people all the time in almost every circumstance? Probably not. In fact, you could bet that whilst a TIC costs money to operate, the money they generate for the local economy is probably worth far more than anyone can imagine. Closing it can only have the reverse effect.
.
Biggestoaf, it’s true; it does cost money to run. You’re right, it’s non-statutory, but it plays a part in telling people where to spend their money. It makes money indirectly for the town, and that has to be worth something? There’s all these talks about cutting and closing, and no talk of investing and generating.
.
As for being for businesses and not tourists... If it weren’t for the businesses benefitting from having a TIC, they would be closing a lot faster than they are at the moment wouldn’t they? Surely anyone can see that with less money being spent in the economy, businesses will struggle even more?
.
James, you mention the “local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc”. All these businesses benefit from having a TIC, because the TIC encourages people to spend money in the town. If they want a newspaper, they’re directed to a newsagent. If they’re moving to the area and want to get a bus timetable, they can support bus drivers! They may want landscaping in their garden when they’ve moved here, and they’ll probably call the TIC to get numbers of people who offer such services, because do you know why? It’s cheaper than calling directory enquiries, and it’s the sort of thing people call their TIC for. They do that, even though it’s not Tourist related. I’ve called them myself, to find out the number of estate agents, and been given a comprehensive list, which has been great. I’ve also used them to book my National Express tickets, and renew my Son’s bus pass. Doesn’t that help a driver?
.
You’re not looking at the effects on the economy a TIC has. It’s massive! You don’t realise it, because you’re clearly not a customer, but we understand, and we can see that losing the TIC is like drilling a huge hole in the base of a ship.

Closing the TIC probably is like drilling a hole in the base of a ship.
Keeping it open is like asking that ship to be paddled by the community, so that the people that own the shipping line can save some money.
The direct beneficiaries of the TIC are tourist businesses. They should foot the bill.
Some of your points are good ones, but we are now saying that not only should the TIC help tourists, it should also deal with every enquiry from estate agents to landscaping. If that is the case, why do we all complain so much when somebody wastes the police service's time with an enquiry about a plumber.

JamesYoung wrote:

prestonpete wrote:
James. You say – “I hadn't spotted that little gem although I don't believe that for one minute. 222,000 people? How did they count or is this an Olympic estimate again?”
.
James, I’ve looked at the statistics, which are available for public consumption. It would appear that the 220,000 is a genuine number. In fact, it’s likely to have been more than that. The number represents enquiries, whether it’s people going in to the TIC, telephone enquiries, email enquiries, postal enquiries, facsimile enquiries (yes people still use them). There’s a counter in the entrance to the Pavilion, which counts the number of people walking towards the counter. It doesn’t count them on the way out, so it’s pretty accurate. It doesn’t tell you what they came in for, but this information can be obtained by looking at the type of business conducted over the years.
.
James, it’s true, most accommodation providers have leaflet racks in their establishments. Why not? They’re a great way of providing visitor information. But, do they also provide services like National Express coach bookings, First bus passes, Tickets to local events and concerts, accommodation bookings for other establishments, restaurant advice, public transport planning services, train information, discounted attraction tickets, bookings for trips, tours and walks? Probably not. Do they have the specialist knowledge that has been built up over the last goodness knows how long, and know precisely where to direct people all the time in almost every circumstance? Probably not. In fact, you could bet that whilst a TIC costs money to operate, the money they generate for the local economy is probably worth far more than anyone can imagine. Closing it can only have the reverse effect.
.
Biggestoaf, it’s true; it does cost money to run. You’re right, it’s non-statutory, but it plays a part in telling people where to spend their money. It makes money indirectly for the town, and that has to be worth something? There’s all these talks about cutting and closing, and no talk of investing and generating.
.
As for being for businesses and not tourists... If it weren’t for the businesses benefitting from having a TIC, they would be closing a lot faster than they are at the moment wouldn’t they? Surely anyone can see that with less money being spent in the economy, businesses will struggle even more?
.
James, you mention the “local news agent, grocery store, accountant, lawyer, mechanic, fisherman, shoe repairer, estate agent, decorator, brick layer, carpenter, plasterer, hardware store manager, tree feller, gardener, groundsman, lorry driver, forklift operator, bus driver, etc”. All these businesses benefit from having a TIC, because the TIC encourages people to spend money in the town. If they want a newspaper, they’re directed to a newsagent. If they’re moving to the area and want to get a bus timetable, they can support bus drivers! They may want landscaping in their garden when they’ve moved here, and they’ll probably call the TIC to get numbers of people who offer such services, because do you know why? It’s cheaper than calling directory enquiries, and it’s the sort of thing people call their TIC for. They do that, even though it’s not Tourist related. I’ve called them myself, to find out the number of estate agents, and been given a comprehensive list, which has been great. I’ve also used them to book my National Express tickets, and renew my Son’s bus pass. Doesn’t that help a driver?
.
You’re not looking at the effects on the economy a TIC has. It’s massive! You don’t realise it, because you’re clearly not a customer, but we understand, and we can see that losing the TIC is like drilling a huge hole in the base of a ship.

Closing the TIC probably is like drilling a hole in the base of a ship.
Keeping it open is like asking that ship to be paddled by the community, so that the people that own the shipping line can save some money.
The direct beneficiaries of the TIC are tourist businesses. They should foot the bill.
Some of your points are good ones, but we are now saying that not only should the TIC help tourists, it should also deal with every enquiry from estate agents to landscaping. If that is the case, why do we all complain so much when somebody wastes the police service's time with an enquiry about a plumber.

As a final point, you talk about "growth" and "investing" which is the rubbish that Labour is spouting at the moment. Growth and investment require money. There is no money left. We are paying £44,000,000,000 a year in interest on debts, so the government is not really best placed to help out, unless we want to see essential public sector services slashed. The private sector won't invest, because people aren't spending money and they'll get no return. We have to get used to making do with what we have. So please don't listen to anybody with a red or a yellow rosette telling you there is another way. It's too late for that.

The private sector won't spend because people aren't spending money? Yes, I agree. But, people would spend even less money if they're not told where to spend it, wouldn't you say?

Who goes to a physical building to find out information any more? Just put on your Google glasses and look around you.

Tell that to those who aren't so 'tech savvy'. Tell it to those who have money to burn and want to spend it in the town, but decide to go elsewhere, because there's nowhere to advise them where to spend their money. Yes, there are the super people with all their iPhones, iPads and the like, but what about us seniors, who just about struggle to use the internet as it is? We don't have a fancy mobile phone, and we can't use the services that you can. We rely on face to face interaction to be told what we can see and do, and how much things cost etc. Sorry, but we're a huge market. If it weren't for the fact that we live here, we'd be lost without a TIC.

If you don't have the money for mobile phones, do we want you in Weymouth? Surely from a business point of view we want to fill the town with well-off people who have lots of cash to spend?

ViewPoyntz wrote:
If you don't have the money for mobile phones, do we want you in Weymouth? Surely from a business point of view we want to fill the town with well-off people who have lots of cash to spend?

You really don't understand, do you?

Nope. By shutting down the TLC the council is just intercepting the trend to ubiquitous low-cost mobile data. Face-to-face interaction for tourist information is an unsustainable business model.

I meant TIC - Freudian slip!

JamesYoung wrote:

Phaedrus wrote:
I've never seen the TIC anything but busy. Hoteliers pay a full commercial rate for advertising in the brochure plus TIC services which may be of little direct benefit. I know of no other tourism destinations that have no information service. It is normal for local authorities to support important local business sectors. We really do need to support tourism, it is just too important to Weymouth to ignore. The TIC may not be the most cost-effective means but it is foolish indeed to close it without fully working out how tourism will be supported into the future.

Phaedrus, if this was a commercial enterprise, it would have gone under. Therefore, the hoteliers are not paying "a full commercial rate".
The idea that tourism is a magic word that means that taxpayers have to subsidise marketing for these businesses is just silly. There are plenty of other businesses in the area that also contribute taxes and employment. Can you provide specific examples of where the local council supports, through subsidy of premises (non repairing leases at below commercial rates), provision of free marketing services, etc?

You are right

We don't send messages by horseback rider any more, we don't get our daily news from the Town Cryer. Technology forces change, whether you are happy about it or not.
I'd far rather go to TripAdvisor for a restaurant or hotel recommendation than the TIC.

Of course there is a trend to mobile data but it is clear that there is still a considerable demand for TIC services. What is wrong here is that the council is closing the TIC before considering the demand or evaluating alternatives. It would be a good idea to look at visitor demographics too, but all that has been considered is that here is a cost that can be cut. Just about every other tourist destination has tourist office services, why do we think Weymouth can be the exception? This could turn out to be an expensive mistake.

I'm sure there was a demand from a section of the population to be able to go in to HMV and buy a CD. Issue was that in the era of iTunes, the shops didn't add enough value to justify their existence.

The growth area has to be online services, not bricks-and-mortar.

prestonpete wrote:
Tell that to those who aren't so 'tech savvy'. Tell it to those who have money to burn and want to spend it in the town, but decide to go elsewhere, because there's nowhere to advise them where to spend their money. Yes, there are the super people with all their iPhones, iPads and the like, but what about us seniors, who just about struggle to use the internet as it is? We don't have a fancy mobile phone, and we can't use the services that you can. We rely on face to face interaction to be told what we can see and do, and how much things cost etc. Sorry, but we're a huge market. If it weren't for the fact that we live here, we'd be lost without a TIC.

Pete, there is a saying that if something on the Internet is free, then you are the product.
That is also true here.
The TIC is free to tourists because they are the product that the council is "selling" to tourist businesses.
You're right, there is section of society that would get use from it.
So really the only question is why do tourist businesses not think its worth paying for?

Of course online services are a major growth area, the point is that TIC usage proves there is still a significant demand for a service of that kind. It is a classic marketing mistake to reach for a future goal and ignore current demand. The TIC is primarily a service to tourists and tourism benefits shops restaurants cafes bars clubs and all the businesses that serve them. Closing the TIC, when nearly all other tourism centres have such information services, could have serious long term consequences.

Phaedrus wrote:
Of course online services are a major growth area, the point is that TIC usage proves there is still a significant demand for a service of that kind. It is a classic marketing mistake to reach for a future goal and ignore current demand. The TIC is primarily a service to tourists and tourism benefits shops restaurants cafes bars clubs and all the businesses that serve them. Closing the TIC, when nearly all other tourism centres have such information services, could have serious long term consequences.

"It is a classic marketing mistake"
You're right.
It is.
I ask again, why do the companies that benefit from this marketing not wish to pay for it?

I assume JamesYoung means hotels B&Bs guest houses camping and caravan parks as the companies who benefit from the TIC. I should be surprised if the majority of these benefit DIRECTLY, they do of course benefit directly from the Weymouth and Portland brochure but they pay for that, and also from the website, and nearly all of their business comes from advance bookings not TIC introductions. The TIC is a much more a service to tourists than to tourism businesses and in every other borough in England and in every case I know of that service is paid for by local government out of general revenues.

I mean all tourist businesses. You are right about current funding models but a quick google will show that many many councils are making them self funding or closing them.
To put it a slightly different way, if the council needs to fund £100k and it chooses to take that from your pocket not the businessman, then you are £100k worse off and he is pocketing (most of) the profit. Seem fair?
If so, expect a host of other businesses to send you a bill to cover their marketing costs too.

Well I must say this is certainly more interesting than reading about the constant letters regarding shared cycle paths and dog excrement!! I'm of to do a BTEC in business studies so I feel qualified to comment on some of the business ideas proposed. I might just get one of those clicker counters and spend tomorrow outside the Pavilion.......

The TIC should remain but it should be paid / funded for by those that take financial benefit from it. If your business income increases because of the TIC then you should help fund it.

Or is this more of free benefits ?

If they put a drop in centre on Granby to promote the local businesses would you expect the council or the local businesses to fund it?