Seafront hotels falling into 'disrepair' as row erupts over lease responsibilities

A committee is set to meet today to further talks on the revised hotel and guesthouse policy in Weymouth between the borough council and guesthouse owners.

The draft policy proposes that, in future, the borough council offers leases on the basis that tenants are responsible for repairing and insuring the premises.

Currently there are a number of different leaseholds, with some tenants responsible for internal repairs while the council pays for external repairs.

Chairman of the Weymouth Hoteliers, Guesthouses and Leaseholders Association (WHGLA) Alison Weller said the group had hired someone to negotiate with the council on its behalf.

“It’s a very difficult time. A lot of tenants are very anxious about this.”

The policy was first considered by the policy development committee in June 2015, almost a year ago, and Mrs Weller said that while discussions have been ongoing, repair work is not being carried out.

“There are some properties which are in a real state of disrepair, and that does have an effect on business.

“Property maintenance is not being carried out and now the cost of this is being passed onto tenants.”

The report to the policy development committee -which is recommended to be referred to management committee for consideration - states that the council simply cannot afford to continue to carry out the repairs in the future.

It reads: "Assuming the revised policy is adopted then the costs and risks of undertaking future repair and decoration works will reduce, thus minimising the councils risks. If no action is taken however the council will not necessarily be able to undertake the required repairs if the projected funding shortfalls do become reality."

But Mrs Weller said hoteliers are struggling with their own finances, having been hit by the rise of the cheap package holidays abroad.

She added: “If, with this policy, running a guesthouse is unsustainable, then what is the point?”

Cllr Jeff Cant is joint briefholder for the policy, with Cllr Jason Osborne.

Cllr Cant, briefholder for finance and assets, agreed that ‘some parts’ of the Esplanade are in a state of disrepair but said the new policy would offer a fairer deal for taxpayers, with benefits for hoteliers.

“We are keen to look at granting longer leases where we can – and we want to do that so the property is more saleable when they retire or move on.

“The town is a brilliant place to be but it has become faded and run down in places due to lack of investment.

“We are not forcing this deal on them. In return for taking on the external repairs they will get a more saleable investment.”

And Cllr Osborne, briefholder for tourism and a hotel owner himself, said the policy was a result of long negotiations and compromise.

“This is probably the best we could come up with. Hotels were concerned that repairs were not being done in the time frame they wanted them to be completed - now they will have full control and can do the maintenance and repairs when they want it.”