WEYMOUTH officially has the best beach in the UK, according to Travellers Choice Awards. But after one resident spoke out last week to highlight the decline of the resort's town centre, is it too late to turn the fortunes of the town around? 

A TOWN chief has made a ‘determined and optimistic’ pledge to regenerate Weymouth – but he is warning that it will take time.

Borough council leader Jeff Cant said work is underway to improve the look of the town after the Dorset Echo published photographs taken by one resident showing how run-down the resort has become.

Cllr Cant said: “I will have failed if by 2018, when we move to a unitary authority, there is not a substantial amount of regeneration in Weymouth underway.”

He told the Echo that a town centre manager is likely to be in place by the start of the summer 2017 season. Moves to create the role have come under fire from other councillors, as it is an idea which was previously considered when the Business Improvement District (BID) was set up.

But Cllr Cant said the brief would be different than what was considered before, and a town centre manager would be a point of contact for residents to raise issues.

He said: “At the moment I get an email about some rough sleepers from a resident, I go out to see them and then have to phone the homelessness officer. By the time they get out, the rough sleepers have moved on.

“A town centre manager would be a more direct line of contact. We are talking primarily about someone who can get to know the retailers, pick up issues like street peddlers and provide the councils with a list of buildings in poor repair so we can get onto the owners.”

Cllr Cant said he has asked strategic director Martin Hamilton to look into what regulations are in place to put pressure on building owners in town to keep the exteriors in good repair.

“At the moment we aren’t doing anything more than relying on their good will and some haven’t got the money or enthusiasm.”

Other issues are boarded-up shop fronts and litter. Cllr Cant said the BID is already running an initiative to put artwork in empty shops.

He added that it is ‘too early to comment’ on how successful a pilot scheme has been for a private environmental enforcement firm to issue fines to litterbugs and dog owners who don’t clear up after their pets. The scheme launched two weeks ago.

“I think if people are patient then, probably not this season but in the near future, they will see a marked difference. There are a lot of new developments, such as the peninsula and I think certainly by next season we will start to see significant signs the town is moving forward,” he said.

Will this be soon enough for traders who rely on a strong summer season for their business to survive?

Cllr Cant added: “Towards the end of last season we had a couple of traders who have beach franchises who spoke at a management committee meeting and said it was the best season they had ever had. I think we have been fortunate in that events abroad and the decline in the pound have encouraged people to holiday more at home. We are benefitting but we can’t rest on our laurels.

“10 or 15 years of neglect cannot be solved in 12 months but we want what the community wants, and that is a town we can all be proud of.”

We have the best beach in the UK

WEYMOUTH Beach has been named the best beach in the UK.

Not only that, its 'beautiful' golden sands came in the top 10 best-rated beaches in Europe in the Travellers’ Choice award for beaches, announced by TripAdvisor. 

With its donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows, live music and free summer firework displays, travellers had high praise for Weymouth Beach, highlighting that it was clean, child-friendly and safe. 

Cllr Jason Osborne, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Tourism and Culture briefholder, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the number one beach in the UK in the Travellers’ Choice Awards for Beaches. This award is particularly special for the borough as it is based solely on reviews from people who have visited our resort.

“This is a huge accolade and is recognition of not only the beach but the town. The award reflects the hard work that is done by the borough council and its partners such as Dorset Waste Partnership, local businesses and the community. It’s a great start to the year and hopefully signals a successful season ahead for Weymouth and Dorset.”

Travellers’ Choice beach award-winners were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveller reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period.
As well as notching the top spot in the UK, Weymouth Beach came ninth in Europe. 

La Concha Beach in Spain came first. 

Cllr Ian Bruce said: “We are constantly voted right at the top of best beaches in the country and in the world. 

“We have the advantage of being in a wonderful, scenic location. There is a shallow, sloping area so kids can play safely. There are plenty of cafes and shops; everything close by. 

“We underestimate just how simple things like the Esplanade, which is flat and walkable, make for a really healthy place to come.”

BID 'always open' to concept of artwork in empty shops

MANAGER of Weymouth BID Nigel Reed confirmed the group had received funding from the Dorset PCC office and local authorities in the past to brighten up empty shop windows with artwork.

But difficulties arise in getting permission from or even being able to contact landlords to make this happen.

He added that the property at Frederick Place is currently boarded up as repairs are taking place, and that the BID has been in discussion with the owners to do something to brighten it up.

“It is a concept we are always open to,” he said. 

“The difficulty is getting into shops. We are also in talks with Artwey who are going to display local artists’ work around town in May, and they are also looking for somewhere to have a temporary base to do that as well.”

Difficulty for building owners

  •  Keeping the buildings in a good state of repair is a complex issue, said one building owner. Natalie Hurford owns a building on St Mary Street close to the King’s Statue with her dad. Her family have owned the building for 30 years.

She said she is aware paint is peeling off the outside of the building, but she is waiting for warmer weather so builders can carry out the work needed. She added that she paid a company to do the work last year, but it was not up to standard.

She added: “It is expensive, having a listed building. It’s not like having any other building, the costs are a lot more.

“I’m really passionate about old buildings, I would do anything to keep them the way they are.”

What do you think should be done to improve the state of Weymouth?

We asked readers to send in their suggestions and have been inundated with ideas. Here’s what you had to say:

  • Carol Woodward

“The town centre is a complete mess, there have never been so many boarded up shops. The rubbish along the streets, broken windows and rotting doors are a disgrace. It's no wonder, really, that reputable businesses do not want to come here. 

“Another rethink about parking charges is essential. Be more selective about which buildings are opening in the town centre, especially around the King’s Statue area. I never go into the town in the evening – it scares me!”

  • Mrs R Evans

“I would love to see the raised beds on the esplanade between The Pavilion and the beach given some attention. They have gradually fallen into a terrible state of disrepair and are never planted up yet hundreds of people pass them every day, especially during the summer months, whilst walking to and from the car park, the pleasure pier and the Jurassic Skyline tower.”

  • Peter Tarrant

“This is a complex subject with no simple answer but the town cannot just sit back and do nothing.

“As a start I suggest attention is focused on town centre rents. I have heard from a number of traders that they just cannot cover the high rents expected.

“Another point is that our council must put pressure on central government to make a special business rate conceding for high street traders if it is not to see our towns slowly decline and rot and in this respect must demonstrate great tenacity.”

  • Kim Campbell

“It would be nice to see other shops in Weymouth apart from charity shops, mobile phone shop or more cafes.”

  • Kate Chard

“I have worked on the seafront for over two years now. Throughout the seasons we are constantly asked "where is the tourist information centre"? 

“This is due to the fact that there are old signs in place, both of which point in different directions, and my place of work falls bang in the middle!

“By the way, the Weymouth and Portland Partnership staff that keep the seafront, beach and town clean, do a great job, especially after a weekend!”

  • Janet Grant and Michael Hayes

“The boarding up of empty shops is a backward step why not put art frescos on the windows as they do when refurbishing buildings in major cities. 

“Unfortunately the town planners have tried to modernise Weymouth but that isn't what people come here for. They want traditional seaside as they remember from childhood, I won't mention the vandalism of the fairy lights along the promenade.”