RENEWED concerns have been expressed about a plan to withdraw the free deckchair offer for older residents of Weymouth and Portland.

Council chiefs have been accused of being ‘penny pinchers’ for proposing the money-saving measure.

There is also concern a consultation is being conducted online only – excluding those who aren’t computer savvy.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has launched a consultation over its review of the deckchair pricing policy, which provides free deckchairs and half-price windbreaks to locals over 60.

But it could be at risk as councillors say that circumstances and the ‘financial position’ of the council has changed.

If approved, people will have to pay the going rate of £2 a day next year.

The council says the value of free chairs is about £5,000 a year.

The consultation is running via dorsetforyou.gov.uk/freedeckchairs until June 18.

No paper copies are available but the council says people can visit libraries or the council offices to access the internet for free and complete the consultation.

Town centre cafe owner and borough councillor Francis Drake claims it is a ‘penny pinching’ move to take away perhaps the last perk available for older people.

He said: “It’s ridiculous because firstly you can only have a say about it online, and considering this affects older people, that’s stupid because not everyone has access to a computer. And even if they’re free at the library not everyone is confident about using one. I would be happy to have paper copies at my cafe for people to fill in.”

He added: “I wonder where the saving would be coming from? There are plenty of free deckchairs on the seafront every day for paying customers to use. Surely the saving would only be made if every seat was taken up all the time?”

Resident Patricia Sawkins, 80, said: “If the council goes through with this there’ll just be lots of empty chairs. It’s never full up when I go up there, even at busy times.”

She added: “I’m not very good on a computer so I won’t be having my say. When you get to my age you just want an easy life and don’t want to start learning about computers. I’d rather put something on paper.”