BID founder and former Dartmouth Business Forum chairman Paul Reach said the decision by Dartmouth TIC to pass its website and brochure to outside organisations could prove to be a problem for the Dartmouth BID.

‘After investing over £80,000 of BID members’ funds in enhancing and promoting the website, more than the TIC itself, the BID has now lost total control over what happens to the site,’ he said.

‘The rebranding, which was unanimously supported by the then BID board of directors, has already been abandoned.

‘I believe the current chairman of the BID, Peter Conisbee, has now shed all pretence of looking after the interests of BID members and supported the TIC’s move. My question to Peter is what does this do for the BID company’s marketing plans, which were built around the TIC website? As chairman of the BID, you are responsible to BID members and no one else.

‘The TIC announcement mentions the organisations they are working with to secure their future, but the list does not include the Dartmouth BID.

‘After two years of major investment in the TIC website and its promotion, I believe this is a sad betrayal of the partnership we developed. It indicates their belief that the BID is over before the ballot result is even known.’

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Dartmouth Town Council has decided to withhold a grant of £3,000 for 2016/17 towards the TIC. The council had been prepared to release the money early in order to help the cash-strapped centre stay open until the end of August.

But in light of the TIC announcement, it has been decided to discuss the proposition again.

Many councillors are believed to be angry that the information seems to have been withheld from the council-led working party set up to help the TIC.