PLANS to transfer Bridport’s Tourist Information Centre to the town council have been agreed by the district council.

At a meeting of West Dorset District Council’s executive committee, members backed plans to transfer the service by April next year and provide £150,000 to the town council as a one-off payment for set up costs.

Staff will be transferred to the town council and the committee also approved the transfer of the operation of the Bridport Charter market to the town council.

Bridport Town Council submitted a proposal to take on the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall, which attracts around 110,000 customers a year, during a review process carried out by the district council as it looks to reduce its operating costs across its Tourist Information Centres.

Cllr Mary Penfold, West Dorset District Council’s portfolio holder for enabling, said the transfer would take place without consultation as the service would remain in its existing location and would continue to provide “a similar level of service”.

Council leader Anthony Alford said: “I think we have found a good level of synergy here.”

No decision was made on the future of Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre, with a report considered by the committee stating that the council’s preferred option was to continue to operate the service in its existing premises until discussions with the town council are concluded.

The report states that if an agreement is not reached with the town council, the district council would have an option to continue to operate the Tourist Information Centre for a period of three years.

It adds: “The alternative option is to close the Tourist Information Centre and establish it with an unstaffed Tourist Information Point (TIP), though this is not officers’ preferred option.”

Last week, Cllr Sarah Williams, leader of Bridport Town Council, said: “The town council has been working very quietly for a while on this.

“I think we are in a very good position to take it over. I think it can become much more efficient. It is absolutely vital to the town. The tourism industry is very important to the town and the tourism season is a lot longer than it used to be. Keeping the TIC open will help the guest houses and hotels, as well as local shops, bars and businesses – so it can support the town’s economy in many ways.”