ENTREPRENEURS could help stem a trend of decline in seaside towns such as Weymouth, a report claims.

The report by the Centre for Entrepreneurs also calls for seaside towns to develop a ‘unique identity’ to boost their image.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s tourism and culture spokesman Cllr Jason Osborne said the town has a lot going for it, alongside a ‘world-class beach’.

He said: “We need to offer more than the beach and we do. We have strong links to sporting events, to great shows at the Pavilion, to fantastic food festivals.

“I think sometimes we need to shout more about what we’re good at. We are very quick to criticise.”

The report, From Ebb To Flow, states that seaside towns around the country share ‘common factors’ and face similar issues.

“Though there may be much diversity between them, they often share common factors including physical isolation, educational deficiencies, significant levels of deprivation and low-wage, low-skilled seasonal work. These factors are further compounded by ageing populations, decaying seafront infrastructure and a lack of digital connectivity.”

It comes after Weymouth was described in a national newspaper in 2014 as ‘a place beset by low wages, lack of transport and poverty of aspiration’.

A year on from the publication of the article in the Observer, the Dorset Echo spoke to community leaders and councillors, who said that there are many issues still to be addressed.

Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID manager, said the report is ‘largely positive’ but contains little that has not been said before.

“In terms of having an identity, I think the most unique thing about Weymouth is its harbour.

“Our industries are traditionally marine, engineering, tourism, but I know a man who has just set up a furniture business who believes there’s a lot of potential for creative industries here. For something to take off, all you need is three or four people doing it, then you get the reputation and it feeds off itself.”

Mr Reed added that the report called for seaside towns to have more autonomy from central government, an idea he supports.

Cllr Osborne said work is being done to improve transport links.

“I'm meeting this weekend with Travel Watch South West and we will be looking at how we can improve links with major cities.

“We are very lucky in the South West in that we are bucking the trend of a decline in tourism, but we need to make sure we stick together so we continue to do that. We need to make sure we work hard so Weymouth and Portland becomes a success story.”