DARTMOUTH’S struggling Tourist Information Centre says it has reluctantly had to reject a short-term bail out offer from the town’s Business Improvement District.

But talks are continuing and the centre is doing all it can to reopen for the busy February half-term.

The BID board has offered the TIC a short-term loan to provide ‘breathing space’ while a long-term solution is found to its cash problems over the next few months.

BID chairman Peter Conisbee said: ‘The BID board agreed to offer the TIC a short-term loan with the intention that it will enable them to re-open the visitor centre and offer their normal service to both visitors and the town throughthe busy half term and Easter holiday periods.

‘This will provide a breathing space to enable the TIC to pursue a long term solution to their problems over the next few months.

‘The Dartmouth BID board of directors are unanimous in their decision to help the TIC but mindful that they are funded by all levy paying businesses and must act both in their interests and in accordance with the BID business plan.’

But Angie Cairns-Sharp, chairman of the TIC, said its board of directors had met on Tuesday when it was decided they could not accept the terms of the proposal.

‘We are very grateful to the BID board and are still in discussions with them but unfortunately clauses in the loan were considered unacceptable,’ she said. ‘We are restructuring internally and have every intention to reopen the centre fully for the February half-term.

‘We have been overwhelmed by the support from visitors, businesses and residents and are desperately trying to resolve the situation and find a way forward.’

A launch date for the TIC’s 2016 holiday broch­ure will be announced shortly.