After months of uncertainty, it has been confirmed that police will be permanently based in Weston-super-Mare town centre even after the force moves to a new base on the outskirts of town later this year.

A team of officers will operate from the Town Hall, in Walliscote Grove Road, after an agreement was reached between Avon and Somerset Constabulary and North Somerset Council.

The police’s new base is now being built at Weston Gateway business park, close to M5 junction 21 and will open later this year. The former station in Walliscote Road – rated no longer fit for purpose – will be demolished to make way for housing.

A constabulary spokesman was unable to confirm how many officers would be stationed at the Town Hall or where in the building they would be based, but said the move means the force can maintain current service levels.

The spokesman said: “Once the new North Somerset Police Centre is complete at junction 21 and we have moved out of Weston Police Station, the town centre team – including PCs, PCSOs and their sergeant – will move into facilities at the Town Hall.

“This will allow the force to maintain a town centre presence and allow the local team to continue to provide the same level of service currently available.”

A spokesman for the council, which runs the Town Hall, said: “We enjoy a good working relationship with the police with officers working out of Castlewood (in Clevedon). We look forward to welcoming them to the Town Hall.”

Central ward councillor Richard Nightingale, whose ward includes the Town Hall and current police station, said: “I am really pleased the council has been able to accommodate the town centre officers.

“I am aware this commitment will come with a price tag to the police, but I thank them for finding the funds and agreeing to a move that will address residents’ concerns.”