A BID to save a Weymouth pub and transform into a music and arts venue has been scuppered.

The Waverley Arms in Abbotsbury Road has been sold to a housing association after being on the market for almost a year.

It is intended to turn the downstairs area into a ‘community facility for people in need’ with flats on the first floor, according to estate agents the Caldecotte Group which sold it on behalf of owners The Derby Pub Company.

A change of use application from The Derby Pub Company to convert it from a pub into flats was approved in November. But the new owners do not have to proceed with this scheme.

The Waverley closed its doors at the beginning of this month.

Landlord of The Belvedere Inn in Weymouth Thomas de Brincat wanted to purchase the Waverley and keep it running.

He was backed by the West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and arranged for a petition containing hundreds of signatures which called for the pub to be saved.

An application to list it as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) to protect the building was made with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. This application has been turned down.

An ACV affords a building additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011.

Former marine engineer Mr de Brincat took over the Belvedere 18 months ago and has turned it into a successful live music venue after investing thousands in a complete refurbishment.

He wanted to repeat the success at the Waverley on a bigger scale while also incorporating a hub for art and dance classes and a rehearsal room and recording studio for local musicians.

He said: “My only concern was that the Waverley stayed as a pub, whether that was me or someone else taking over it.

“I didn’t want it to be lost. There’s so many pubs closing now and it’s such a shame.”

Mr de Brincat added: “I grew up next door to the Waverley and I want to see it continue.

“I felt with a bit of TLC the Waverley could become a great venue. It’s a good locals pub and you can do all sorts of good things with it. I wanted a chance to do that.”

According to CAMRA, 21 pubs close in the UK every week.

Pubs officer for West Dorset CAMRA Andy Redding said: “The Waverley has lots going for it; there’s a huge area out the back and Tom had some big ideas. Just because a pub doesn’t have a big following at the moment doesn’t mean it can’t have in the future.”

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council said the ACV application had been turned down because: 

The pub is now closed so its current use "does not further the social interests or wellbeing of the local community". 

The property and surrounding land was sold with planning permission for use as flats  - Change of use from a pub to 6 dwelling houses was approved in November.