BEACH traders have come up with their own plans and money to resurrect the regeneration of Weymouth seafront.

The Weymouth Beach Group has raised £1 million and is asking council chiefs to find the same amount from the embers of a failed seafront development project and any other government grants.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s own plans to give the seafront a facelift were rocked when the South West Redevelopment Agency (SWRDA) decided to cut all £6.6 million it had promised.

But beach kiosk owners are hoping their plans will give the Esplanade a new look and attract people to the seafront outside the summer season.

Kiosk owner and beach group member Daren Deadman said: “Why shouldn’t you be able to buy a Mr Whippy or a candy floss by day but in the evening enjoy a bowl of mussels, a freshly baked baguette and a crisp cold glass of white wine.

“Other resorts like West Bay and Lyme Regis are doing this very successfully all year round.

“This regeneration project has been talked about for nearly five years now and we believe the time has come for action.

“We are prepared to back our plans with our own money and because of this we are in a position to deliver this by 2010.”

The £1 million is being raised by private, local investors. It will cover the cost of three new kiosks – designed to look like up-turned boats – on the edge of the seafront next to the beach.

The group said the money will also pay for new versions of the traditional colourful kiosks already in place. These are currently being designed.

And Mr Deadman said he hopes this investment will help the council generate the same amount of funding from grants to carry out priorities which have been left in doubt by SWRDA’s funding cut.

The council’s Seafront Regeneration Working Group will meet on July 20 to discuss those priorities and how much money from the original scheme can be used.

On top of the £6.6 million promised and cut from the original scheme by SWRDA a total of £1.9 million was due to come from a combination of other public bodies.

Councillor Roger Allen is calling for members to back the scheme.

He said: “All is not lost if the private sector is allowed to come to the rescue.”

He added: “At this critical time when Weymouth has been dealt this almost mortal blow and its confidence is at a very low ebb they have come forward with a truly great scheme.

“We know that quick inspirational action is not the strong suit of the public sector but hopefully Weymouth and Portland Borough Council can break the habits of a lifetime and give the group the positive signals they are seeking and allow them to develop this very worthwhile scheme.”

Coun Tim Munro, council briefholder for environment and sustainability, said it was ‘great’ that the group was coming forward.

But he also said that the council will have to check if the scheme is compatible with match funding and if it would be subject to public tendering.