The loss of Devizes’ town centre manager has been described as a disaster for the town.

Mitch Roberts, who has held the post since April 2008, learned this week that his contract is not to be renewed as Wiltshire Council is not prepared to help fund the post.

In addition to liaising between the landlords of empty buildings and firms wishing to move to the town, Mr Roberts is chairman of the Christmas Festival, secretary of the Pubwatch scheme, has spearheaded the fight to retain the tourist information centre and represents Devizes on the Mid Wiltshire Economic Partnership.

Noel Woolrych, manager of the town’s CCTV system, said: “This is a complete disaster. Mitch has done a hell of a lot in the background over the last three years.

“We will sorely miss him. We need someone to actively market the town to the outside world and he has done it brilliantly.”

Peter Lay, chairman of the Devizes Development Partnership, Mr Roberts’ employer, said that, in the absence of a commitment from Wiltshire Council to match fund the post with Devizes town council, they were left with no option but to make the post redundant.

He said: “We fully understand the problems Wiltshire Council has at the moment. There is no other town centre manager in post in the county and they need to make considerable economies.

“We are sorry to see Mitch go. We believe he has contributed a great deal in the three years he has been with us.”

Mr Lay and the DDP first employed a town centre manager in 2003 after a report from Bournemouth University said the town should appoint one as an urgent priority.

Mr Roberts’ predecessor, Daryl Saville-Brown, almost single-handedly introduced the town’s CCTV system, which is also now threatened.

Devizes town council provides half of the £30,000 funding for the post. They will have to consider what to do with the money set aside in their budget.

Coun Kelvin Nash, chairman of the council’s community and civic resources committee, said: “The money is budgeted for town centre management, rather than a town centre manager, so we will have to decide what to do with it, perhaps covering some of Mr Roberts’ present functions.”

Although Mr Roberts only found out on Tuesday his contract was not being renewed, he said he was aware that the post was in jeopardy.

He said: “Life goes on. I have thoroughly enjoyed working in Devizes. It is a lovely town and the independent traders have been wonderful.

“I just hope that the work will continue to fight for the viability of the town.”