The operator of Weymouth’s seafront funfairs has hit back over anti-social behaviour claims which has led to the town council considering alternatives sites.
Weymouth Town Council recently voted in favour of creating a working group to consider alternative locations for the funfair instead of at the Pavilion forecourt.
The decision came about after the Weymouth Hoteliers Guesthouses & Leaseholders Association (WHGLA) called for the funfair to be moved away from the forecourt due to anti-social behaviour concerns involving groups of young people.
READ MORE: Other sites considered for Pavilion funfair due to trouble
Edward Danter, of Danter's Fun Fair, has said these claims are unfounded in that themselves and the council haven't received any complaints of anti-social behaviour this year.
He said: "We've had no issues at all this year when it was operating at Easter and in August. There was security there every night and there have been no problems.
"I've been trading at the Pavilion forecourt for over 34 years and bring a first class funfair to the people of Weymouth.
"People love us and support us."
Weymouth Town Council confirmed to the Dorset Echo that it has received no formal complaints about anti-social behaviour at the funfairs held at the Pavilion forecourt this year.
Event Security Southern, which are employed by Danter;s for the funfair, also stated it has seen no issues with anti-social behaviour at the funfair.
Many funfair bookings were previously axed in 2023 as hotel and guest house leaseholders at premises near the Pavilion and the Jubilee Clock complained of noise and trouble caused by young people attending the fair.
READ MORE: Anger over funfairs on Weymouth seafront
Bookings were later reinstated in both locations, under the condition that the funfair should close no later than 9.30pm on “non-event nights." Two licensed door supervisors were also required to patrol the funfair area on events night.
Mr Danter said the funfair has fully complied with these conditions and that noise has been kept to a minimum.
He affirms that no complaints had been brought to themselves and is worried his business could be affected by moving the funfair to an alternative site.
He added: "I'm really frustrated as it's our business. It's our livelihood. We've got a lot of support for it in the local area. Many people have come to us saying what a good attraction it is for Weymouth.
"Any other location wouldn't be suitable and wouldn't work. Now there is a threat we'll have to stop trading in a prime location. "
The council voted in favour of creating a working group to consider alternative sites, with a deadline of December 11 to coincide with an Environment and Services Committee meeting.
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