WESTON’S Hotel and Restaurants Association (WHRA) is merging with a Somerset-wide tourism service to put the town ‘back on the map’.

The association is amalgamating with Visit Somerset.

The aim is to market Weston as a hub to explore not only the town, but also Somerset as a whole.

Hotels and restaurant association president Keith Fearn said: “I and the WHRA are ecstatic about the amalgamation with Visit Somerset and Visit Somerset’s other strategic partners.

“We will, I am sure, see a very strong identity grow now with the joining of forces with Visit Somerset and the South West tourism industry.

“Hotels and restaurants in Weston provide substantial employment.

“We are looking to grow this and further inward investment over the next decade.

“With our new strategic relationship with Visit Somerset this will only go to support our overall vision and goals.

“We know we are going to see new beginnings now that will really help put Weston back on the map with tourists.

“Not only are we going to link with all Visit Somerset’s marketing communications, but the WHRA will also align itself strategically with Visit Somerset with many of its domestic and international initiatives now and in the future.

“This is together with Visit Somerset’s chief executive making himself available to attend all our future director meetings, as we steer the association on a new path.

“We are all tremendously excited about the relationship.”

Visit Somerset chief executive John Turner said: “Weston, along with the county’s many other famous brands, is one of the most iconic seaside resorts in the UK and one that has huge potential if marketed correctly.

“With the incredible dedication of three of our directors in the town, Michelle Michael from the Grand Pier, David McCubbin from SeaQuarium and Des Chalmers from the Lewinsdate Lodge Hotel in Weston, I am confident that we can grow and develop the overall product development of the resort.

“Working with the WHRA, will really help us realise this potential in the future.

“I look very much forward to growing and developing this vital opportunity.”