DARTMOUTH’S Tourist Information Centre is in danger of taking down the rest of the town as it goes under, it has been claimed.

The beleaguered centre has posted potentially damaging messages on-line, blaming others for its poor financial situation, which led to its sudden closure last Tuesday.

The misinformation has resulted in outpourings from visitors, businesses and residents on the Dart­mouth Every Time Facebook page and via Twitter – many of which are inaccurate and misleading.

Now Dartmouth businessman Edward Reach, of D’Art Gallery in Lower Street, has appealed to the centre not to use social media to air grievances and lambast other organisataions in the town.

‘Please think carefully about the potential impact of what you are posting on visitors viewing this Facebook page, perhaps thinking of visiting here for the first time,’ he said. ‘What impression do you think they will be left with by your pinned post which will be the first item that greets them?

‘You should be using other channels to express your concerns and grievances. This page is specifically for the promotion of the town.’

Thomas Butcher added: ‘Consid­er­ing Dartmouth Every Time is paid by the businesses to promote Dart­mouth, I think this post should be unpinned. The TIC has failed but Dartmouth hasn’t. It’s a terrible message to greet visitors with.’

The future of the TIC remains uncertain this week after its directors closed the centre following an unsuccessful plea for grant support of up to £20,000 from the town council.

More on this story in today’s Dartmouth Chronicle