Coastal Communities funding for Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project

The Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project is among the successful recipients of Coastal Communities funding from the government to help revive seaside towns – and it is positive news for the resort which is in need of a boost.

Meanwhile, projects that will will get money from the connected Coastal Revival Fund include Portland Museum Trust which gets £46,150 to replace windows and doors, while £40,000 is secured to help restore Swanage Bandstand.

The £3.79m for Weymouth will contribute towards a £6.8m project to regenerate the 'run-down' inner harbour by constructing a 'centre of excellence' for business and enterprise. It will include regeneration of part of the harbour, creating new workspaces to safeguard existing and attract new marine business start-ups, and provide accessible public space for the local community and visitors.

The bid was submitted on behalf of the Weymouth Coastal Community team by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and the community-led Weymouth Development Area Trust.

The funding comes after a visit to Weymouth last year by coastal communities minister Jake Berry who heard the local case for regeneration.

The project for Weymouth includes a multi-purpose harbour building to include:

* 'Centre of excellence' for small-medium enterprise on the quay – including employment and co-working space, a café or kitchen and bookable training spaces and meeting rooms

* Facilities for boat crews

* Space for boat charter businesses to brief day trippers, deep sea anglers and divers

* Secure storage and facilities for the Harbour Authority

* Training facilities attracting maritime, marine and other industry students

Plus it will go towards repairing and strengthening harbour walls, providing new pontoons to improve boat access and a pedestrian walkway around the Peninsula.

The borough council says the project is a great opportunity to provide sustainable opportunities for small businesses in Weymouth and support the area's rich maritime community.

Speaking last year Chris Wilson, CEO Weymouth Area Development Trust on behalf of the Weymouth CCT, said: “The Weymouth CCT has worked hard to get Weymouth in with a fighting chance of attracting this funding into the town. We have been successful because we have been able to show that the town is working together on this. This is a great chance for Weymouth.”

In a separate bid to the CCF, partners are working to try and secure funding to help regenerate the area around Weymouth railway station.