Weymouth music venues at risk due to new developments

Weymouth's live music scene has provided a creative outlet for generations of musicians and bands while the town's famed New Year's Eve celebrations and seafront clubs put the resort firmly on the map as a party destination.

But, in line with a national trend, Weymouth's nighttime economy is facing challenging circumstances. Aside from the pandemic itself, the virus has had catastrophic effects on high streets across the UK - and as shops close, there is a shift towards town centres becoming neighbourhoods in their own right. While there is a genuine need for affordable homes amid the current housing crisis, there is a delicate balance to be struck between venues where loud music is played, and their new neighbours. Nationally there has been a rise in noise complaints against large established venues - a trend that could be replicated in Weymouth.

The former Boombox nightclub on The Esplanade

With a raft of pending 'change of use' planning applications for flats above shops in the town centre - and new flats recently approved - Weymouth's high streets are set to become increasingly residential.

Seafront clubs closed

The most rapid change can be observed in Weymouth seafront, where revellers used to flock to some of the town's larger nightclubs - many of which have now been replaced by restaurants with residential flats built on upper floors.

Weymouth's large seafront clubs have been converted into restaurants and flats

An application for a new cocktail bar and cafe on The Esplanade - Caffeine Weymouth - was recently met by objections by Weymouth Town Council due to concerns about late opening hours and disturbance from punters.

• Read more: Councillors object to alcohol licences at four new Weymouth bars and restaurants

A decision on that application is still to be made by licensing authority Dorset Council. However it illustrates the shift away from Weymouth being a nightlife destination, towards a family-friendly resort geared towards early-evening trade.

'Changing residential profile'

Last year residents group Respect Weymouth fiercely objected to a new premises licence from Caribbean-themed restaurant Tropical Turtle - which was eventually granted following a Dorset Council sub-licensing committee hearing.

The statement put forward by Respect Weymouth cited the 'changing residential profile' of Weymouth town centre as one of the grounds for objection, adding: "The burned-out church 50 yards from the venue has new planning permission for 25 apartments.

Planning permission has been granted for flats

"Other recent developments include a block of harbour view apartments in Helen Lane, a stunning warehouse conversion into apartments at the end of Helen Lane in Templeman’s Mill, and a new conversion for expensive, high-quality apartments in a large warehouse abutting Helen Lane and the harbour. A new planning application for converting an adjacent commercial premises into residential accommodation is in progress."

• APPROVED: Major redevelopment plan for Weymouth town centre building
• APPROVED! Town centre shop to be split up as new flats to be built
• APPROVED: Flats to be built above town centre restaurant
• Read more: New homes to be built at former town centre travel agent

Beginning of the end?

Reaction to a recent noise complaint against live music pub the Duke of Cornwall, however, indicates there is a groundswell of locals who are concerned about people moving into the town centre, with its long-established live music scene and nightlife, and then complaining about noise.

As reported, in response to neighbour complaints about 'public nuisance' due to sleepless nights, the Duke of Cornwall has had conditions attached to its licence requiring live and recorded music acts to finish earlier, as well as being ordered to hire an acoustic consultant to assess sound levels and put together a noise management plan.

Live music at the Duke of Cornwall will face tougher controls

This sets a precedent for other music venues, as it saw principles of the Live Music Act - a deregulation of the Licensing Act - removed from the pub's licence. In essence, this means the venue is at the mercy of the council when it comes to noise conditions, as it removes protections introduced into UK law amid concerns over grassroots music venues being crippled by licensing red tape.

• Read more: End of an era as Boombox nightclub closes

A town divided

Meanwhile the issue divided opinion on whether there is any merit to the argument that 'the pub was here first.' National planning policy does support this argument to an extent.

In 2018 the Agent of Change policy was introduced to protect established music and entertainments venues at risk of being closed as a result of noise complaints from new developments. The policy puts the onus on developers to mitigate against potential noise concerns - which could involve soundproofing new buildings, or in some cases covering the cost of nearby venues being soundproofed.

Banus was just one of many large nightclubs on the seafront at one point

'Ban' on new nightclubs

Established late-night venues and nightclubs that close down in Weymouth are unlikely to be replaced with a similar business. This is because the town centre was declared a cumulative impact area by the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, which means that there is a policy of automatic refusal for new late-night premises unless the applicant can prove their business will not cause trouble. 

• Read more: Readers' most-missed nightspots

The policy was introduced due to the severity of violent crimes at night and was adopted by Dorset Council after the borough council was dissolved. A review of the policy is to be carried out every three years.

Love them or loathe them - the odds are stacked against Weymouth's 'noisy' venues.