As plans are unveiled for Weymouth's rejuvenation, we want to know what you think

But this is not a town without its challenges with traders reporting lower-than-usual visitor numbers and anti-social behaviour. Others point to the lack of parking and general look of the town as reasons why it might not be doing as well as it deserves to.

This week, the Dorset Echo is taking an in-depth look at what the future holds for Weymouth.

Today, reporter Caroline Lewis starts off by examining where the town is now, and, more importantly, where it is going.

There is nothing quite like a day at the seaside. The rare days of the great British summer were built on buckets and spades, chip-pinching seagulls and ice creams.

With its donkey rides, Punch and Judy show and wealth of deckchairs, Weymouth is the epitome of the English seaside town.

Once described as a "wonderful place – wonderful – a great salt sheening sea bending into the land like a bow" by the great author and local resident, Thomas Hardy, Weymouth has unfortunately received some bad press in the past few years.

An article in the Observer in 2014 described the town as a ‘cultural wasteland’ and the ‘graveyard of ambition’.

In February 2017, impassioned resident Bob Underwood brought a collection of photos before the Weymouth and Portland Borough Council management committee, showing boarded up shops, damaged walls, shabby buildings and vandalism, which left the resort in a ‘disgraceful’ state, he said.

Mr Underwood said since his presentation in February he had seen improvements in the town but it was too soon to tell if promises would be upheld.

Leader of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Cllr Jeff Cant said: “For too long Weymouth and Portland have been largely seasonal destinations and over time much of the town of Weymouth has been allowed to become rather tired-looking.”

But owner of Weymouth b&b Birch House, Kathy Mayberry, said this had been her best year and she had never seen the town busier, while the crowds at Dorset Seafood Festival and Weymouth Carnival proved Weymouth still had something to offer.

So, what does the future hold for Weymouth and who is going to get it there?

Cllr Cant said: “If you asked for my dreams for the future, I would like to see it have the same draw for the southern day-tripper catchment area it serves as Brighton does for the south-east coast.”

Mr Cant said he hoped Weymouth could emulate the iconic Lanes in Brighton with an influx of independent, boutique shops and the large chains stores moving away from the town centre.

He added the council were in the process of putting in place an ambitious plan to move the borough from a seasonal resort to a year-round destination and he said that all would all begin with the regeneration of the town.

Pedestrianisation of St Mary Street and St Thomas Street in the town centre had been the first step he said. As of July, a new bollard system was put in, restricting the flow of traffic to the town centre.

Cllr Cant said plans for the extension of the scheme would be coming in the next few months, followed by a much more comprehensive scheme for traffic flows around the whole town.

"It's all part of making the shopping and eating out experience a better one for the visitors and the community," he said.

Cllr Cant said the council now had an arts panel, funded by the Coastal Communities Fund, which was pushing forward with plans for eye-catching lights for the Esplanade.

He added he had also been promoting a project to harness the abundance of local artists in Weymouth, to deliver a series of street sculptures around the centre.

"We have so much local talent working unseen which needs a shop window,"he said.

n Tomorrow, Sam Beamish looks at the Olympic legacy, why it may not have had the impact it promised – and how it may still deliver on its promises.

PENINSULA

With the departure of the Condor Ferries in 2015 and confirmation last year that it would not return, the redevelopment of the peninsula has been a hot topic.

Initial proposals to build expensive flats on the site were rejected and now an ambitious multi-million-pound project is in its preliminary testing and design phase, to regenerate the peninsula.

The proposal plans the build of two medium sized quality hotels alongside a series of buildings for indoor all-year-round leisure.

Cllr Cant said: “More than 50 companies have already expressed a keen interest in bringing in new attractions for example rock climbing and indoor surfing.”

Cllr Richard Kosior, council spokesman for Tourism, Culture and Harbour, said it was a challenging time for the tourism industry but Weymouth had so much to offer visitors.

“There’s always more that can be done and that’s why the council is exploring leisure facilities as part of the Peninsula development," he said.

Mr Cant added the council had already approved £250,000 for a major external makeover of the iconic Pavilion Theatre.

He said the makeover, which should be under way soon, was to ensure the gateway to the area matches its new vision.

BREWERS QUAY

Once heralded as the ‘Covent Garden of Dorset’, the historic site of Brewers Quay has had a tumultuous history and residents have long waited news of its regeneration.

In July 2017, the site was taken over by company, Versant Development and Homes which announced the first phase of their re-development plan is expected to get underway in September 2017.

The development will see the site turned into new homes and refurbished Grade II listed apartments.

The plan consists of a mixture of apartments and townhouses in both the existing brewery building and a new build development on Newtons Road Car Park.

Managing Director of Versant Development and Homes, Frank Mountain, said: “We’re all very excited about the development at Brewers Quay which we know is a much-loved Weymouth attraction.

“Our plans are carefully designed to balance the needs of preserving and improving this wonderful iconic building whilst enabling both the local community and tourists to enjoy all that the area has to offer.

A statement from the company said the plans will also introduce restaurants and an events and exhibition space that will bring appeal and ensure the area becomes a destination in its own right.

Mr Mountain said: “We are reviewing proposals to develop the scheme, providing residential, commercial and cultural uses and works will commence as soon as we have agreed with the planning authority and conservation officers a scheme that brings the property back into use whilst retaining the heritage and character of the building.”

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Last week hoteliers and guest house owners spoke out about the 'horrendous' behaviour of youths on Weymouth seafront and labelled this summer the 'worst ever' for anti-social behaviour.

It is an issue that has plagued the council but Cllr Cant said it had a strategy to tackle the problems in the town.

"The Melcombe Regis Board, has just produced a cross agency action plan to drive on initiatives to deal with the issues created by street drinkers and homeless people and the ongoing low level noise and disruption which makes the town a less attractive prospect particularly after dark.

"I have agreed with fellow members the appointment of a Town Centre Manager and the successful candidate started this week.

"This is a two-year experiment aimed at building a close connection with businesses and town residents, of which I am one, and driving forward a challenging agenda to bring in the right agencies to deal with begging or unlicensed street vendors through to encouraging property owners to keep up the appearance of their buildings."

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Everyone has a view on how best to improve their town.

This week, we’ll be asking hoteliers, traders, businesses and councillors for their opinions.

But we also want to know what you think. The people who live and work in Weymouth are the ones most invested in making our town a success.

But what’s the best way to go about that? Is it more parking? And if so, where should it be? Or should people be encouraged to use public transport more?

Should town chiefs be looking for big name brands to take up space on the high street, or do you want to see more small, independent traders? Or maybe you think the era of high street shopping is over, and there should be more ‘experience-led’ offerings.

Whatever your opinions, get in touch and let us know. We’ll be featuring your comments on what the future of Weymouth should be later this week.

Email us at newsdesk@dorsetecho.co.uk or write to us at Future of Weymouth, Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, DT4 9XD