Concerns over rent increases for resort's hotels

Weymouth is a popular tourist spot

Rent increases for 65 council-owned hotels could put small businesses out of business in a seaside town, a councillor has said.

Councillor Louie O'Leary has raised concerns about Dorset Council's new economic growth strategy, which would see increases at venues in Weymouth.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said any large rises in rent for small, family-run businesses in council-owned hotels or bed and breakfasts would be "contradictory to the council's aim of promoting growth".

Portfolio holder for growth, councillor Richard Biggs, defended what he described as "appropriate" rent levels ahead of the strategy being approved.

Mr O'Leary told councillors: "Higher rents will, potentially, put a lot of small businesses out of business."

Mr Biggs said tourism was "very important" in Weymouth, but the council was "not a charity".

He added: "It's our properties, council taxpayers properties and clearly we have to get rents which are at market values.

"We recognise the importance that the hotels everywhere offer to tourism and some of those are very viable, some less viable and some people want to get out.

"Tourism is one element, but it's not the element that's going to deliver the high, well-paid jobs we are looking for."

'Businesses need support'

Council officer Nick Webster said the authority's aim for tourism was to increase visitor spending across the county.

He told the meeting: "We are also looking to see if we can increase the productivity of some of our tourism business and undertake innovation within their processes, so they become more productive, contributing to our overall higher economic growth."

Conservative councillor Simon Gibson said his party "welcomed much in the economic growth strategy", but called for more focus outside of what he described as the "Weymouth-Dorchester corridor".

"Our plea is to be more open minded about what is possible in other areas, especially in the north of the county," he said.

Weymouth councillor Ryan Hope added: "We should fully support this strategy, it's timely, our businesses need the support and it shows that Dorset Council is committed."