AFTER tense negotiations the future of the Nothe Fort during the 2012 period has been revealed.

Now Weymouth Civic Society is celebrating securing a deal with Olympic organisers that will ensure the town's historic landmark benefits from the sailing events.

After more than a year of negotiations between the town charity and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) it has been revealed to the Dorset Echo that: l Nothe Fort will not be used as a venue for Olympic hospitality – with tickets costing £795 per person.

l The fort will be closed to the public for around 16 days during the Olympic sailing competition times.

l It is hoped that the fort will host some special events outside of racing as part of the Cultural Olympiad events.

l Ticketed spectators at the Nothe and broadcast media will have access to the fort during the competition times.

Chairman of Weymouth Civic Society Tony Landsbert said: “The civic society and Nothe Fort staff and volunteers are happy with where we’ve finally got to after a lot of difficult negotiations.

“The main thing we’ve managed to argue over is being able to keep the fort open right up to the event and straight away afterwards.

“LOCOG wanted a much longer closure but we’ve got it down to about 16 days.

“We hope to have some special events on during the Games and the public who have got tickets will be able to go into the fort during the sailing competition times.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people into the fort and hope to provide a good backdrop and publicity for Weymouth.”

He added: “LOCOG were soon disabused of any idea they were going to get the fort for free – as a charity we had to get the best possible deal.

“They came with fairly interesting ideas of putting up huge marquees for hospitality but that fell by the wayside when the hospitality subcontractor decided it was not commercially viable. There will now be different forms of hospitality in Nothe Gardens themselves.”

No hospitality role for venue

A LOCOG spokesperson said: “Following a review by LOCOG and Prestige Ticketing Ltd, and taking into consideration the operational needs of the Nothe Fort it has been decided not to use the fort as a venue for Olympic hospitality.

“Due to security and access reasons it will not be possible for Nothe Fort to remain open to the public on Olympic event days during actual competition time.

“Ticketed spectators at the Nothe and broadcast media will have access to the fort.

“LOCOG is in discussions with the civic society about other opportunities there may be to showcase the fort during Games time when competition is not on.

“Our aim is to ensure the Fort remains available to as many people as possible and is closedfor as short a time as necessary.”