A restauranteur has backed the city’s tourism arm for helping boost his business.

Raz Helalat, owner of the Coal Shed and Salt Room restaurants, said his membership of VisitBrighton was “money well spent”.

VisitBrighton is on track to top 500 partners this year – but could be replaced by a community interest company at arm’s length from the council.

Raz Helalat said: “Being a VisitBrighton Partner has worked very well for me, and my businesses have benefited as a result of working with the marketing and conference teams.

“The Coal Shed is in a tucked away position and I know people have found us as a result of being on the VisitBrighton website and through reading reviews by journalists that the VisitBrighton team has sent my way. For me it’s money well spent and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the scheme to other businesses in the city.”

For more information go to www.visitbrighton.com.