BRIDPORT Town Council has agreed to take over the management of the Tourist Information Centre. (TIC)

The council’s Finance and General Purpose Committee agreed to take over the management, which is subject to West Dorset District Council’s (WDDC) Executive Committee’s approval.

The move will ensure that the TIC continues to operate as West Dorset District Council was considering its priority as part of its service review.

It is hoped, if approved by the district council that the transfer will take place by October.

The committee also agreed to accept £150,000 of transitional funding from WDCC to help with the transfer.

Cllr Geoff Ackerman said that he believes this will be a good thing for the town council.

In a list of benefits set out to the committee it states that it is hoped staff at the TIC will be able to play more of a role in the management of the town hall and increase use of the building.

The staff could also help to maintain the new Bridport and West Bay website and work closely with the town council on promotional and marketing initiatives.

The committee also agreed that as part of the agreement, the authority to run the market in the town is transferred to the town council and the current licence arrangement with the district council, including the payment of the annual fee ends.

The report stated: “Overall, it is considered that the transfer will be beneficial for the town council and the town, ensuring that the TIC is safeguarded for the future and build on the existing good working relationship between the TIC and the town council.

“It would greatly increase the Town Council’s marketing and promotional capability and assist with income generation.”

The decision will go before WDDC’s Executive Committee in August.

Town clerk Bob Gillis, called it a “good position” to be in.

Last August it was reported that WDDC was undertaking a review of the Tourist Information Centres in Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis and Sherborne as it sought to see if an alternative means of running the facilities outside the council’s auspices would be beneficial to all concerned parties.

The council conducted a survey between June 5 and July 3 2015 in order to capture the views of TIC customers, local residents who may not have used the service, along with local businesses and organisation.

More than 2,000 responses were collected following the comprehensive survey.

And the feedback was overwhelmingly positive about the service provided and in favour of it continuing in some form.