TRADE in Weymouth and Portland has been dealt a heavy blow after two key businesses closed suddenly with the loss of dozens of jobs.

The Boat That Rocks venue at Portland Marina and The Clipper pub in Weymouth town centre have both shut their doors.

The Boat That Rocks bar and restaurant was named after the 2009 Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked which was filmed in Portland Harbour.

Dean & Reddyhoff which runs Portland Marina confirmed the restaurant had ceased trading. It is seeking new tenants to take it over and has received a number of inquiries.

The Clipper in St Thomas Street shut suddenly on Thursday lunchtime after the overall pub group which owns it went into administration.

Administrators have been appointed for the Bramwell Pub group which owns a number of businesses which The Clipper is part of.

President of the Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Mark Blunden said it was a shame both businesses had closed. He said his sympathies were with the staff and business owners who had been affected.

Mr Blunden said: “It is a shame. Two businesses going is not good.”

But he said that in general the area was doing better than many seaside towns and that he believed that both sites would soon be filled.

He said: “Weymouth is doing better than a lot of towns.

“I think the town is buoyant.”

Speaking about The Boat that Rocks, Mr Blunden said he had been a regular.

He said: “It’s a fantastic site – it’s a great place. You couldn’t hope for a better view. I’d be very surprised if someone didn’t come along and snap it up.”

 

Attempts being made to find new operator of The Boat That Rocks

THE Boat That Rocks bar and restaurant at Portland Marina has closed down after the firm running it ceased trading.

Around 15 people work there, full and part-time.

One staff member said workers were given no notice about the closure, which came at the end of last week.

Attempts are being made to honour existing bookings for weddings and charity fundraisers. A fundraiser for Osprey Leisure Centre on November 23 has been postponed until next year, but it is hoped a Portland Community Partnership fireworks event can still go ahead next Tuesday.

The restaurant’s Twitter page has been removed and there is a sign on the door saying it is shut.

Russ Levett of Portland Marina operator Dean & Reddyhoff, which owns the building, said he received an email to say the company running the restaurant, The Boat That Rocks Limited, has ceased trading.

Mr Levett added: “We’re actively trying to find a new tenant to honour the bookings.

“We’ve had assurance that deposits will be returned.

“We’re in no way responsible or liable but we have asked The Boat That Rocks to get these deposits to people.”

A staff member said he and colleagues hadn’t been paid.

He added: “We’ve been given no holiday pay either, leaving most of us struggling to pay rent and bills. The owner does not seem to care.”

Another worker added: “We got a phone call on the day saying we haven’t got jobs.

“A few of us have messaged the owner but he has not replied to me or anyone else.”

The marina is looking for a tenant to take over the venue, which includes a restaurant and a large outside terrace.

The owner of The Boat That Rocks Limited could not be contacted.

 

Drinkers told to leave as town centre pub closes down

A LANDMARK pub in Weymouth town centre has closed its doors after the company it is part of went into administration.

Customers at The Clipper were asked to leave the venue in St Thomas Street on Thursday lunchtime and it has now closed.

A notice which has been posted on the door says it was due to close on November 2 but staff are under ‘strict orders to close immediately due to administration as of now’.

It adds: “Thank you for your kind support and custom.”

Peter Saville, Kevin Coates and Anne O’Keefe, partners at advisory and restructuring specialists Zolfo Cooper, have been appointed as joint administrators over Bramwell Pubs and Bars Limited.

The Group, including Smith and Jones pubs, which the Clipper is part of, operates 185 pubs and bars across the UK and employs approximately 3,300 staff across all sites.

Administrators were appointed as a result of the chain experiencing ‘cash flow problems arising from the current challenging economic environment’.

Shoppers expressed their shock at the news with many saying it is another blow for the town.

Kerry Mackenzie had a hen party booked for her best friend this Saturday.

She said: “I’ve just walked past and saw the sign that The Clipper was closed.

“I managed to get my money back but it is really awful. I now have two days to sort this out.”

Terry Doyle added: “It’s been dying for a while and it comes down to money.

“We knew it was closing but didn't expect it to be so soon.”

Christine Andrews said: “I was just walking past and spotted that it was closed.

“There is nothing in this town now, every time something closes a charity shop pops up.”