Town Council will not progress with Bacaro's promenade seating trial

The decision was made after popular Italian restaurant Bacaro on The Esplanade ran a two-week trial which saw them extend their seating onto the opposite side of the road.

The trial collected feedback throughout its duration and culminated in town councillors meeting this week to make a decision on the scheme's future.

Despite the outpouring of positive feedback from customers and the public on Bacaro’s Facebook page when they announced the trial, a decision has been made to ‘not progress any further at this stage’.

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Weymouth Town Council said the decision was made based on ‘comments received from Dorset Council’ and the town council's Seafront Masterplan, which involves plans to enhance the seafront.

A scheme that would back outdoor seating along Weymouth promenade has been scrapped

Cllr Gill Taylor, Chair of Weymouth Town Council’s Income Generation Group said: “Local Weymouth business Bacaro approached us about trialling an extended seating area on the promenade, which has been operating over the past two weeks.

“Councillors on Weymouth Town Council’s Income Generation Group met on Monday to review feedback received during this useful trial. A mix of views were received from interested parties however due to comments received from Dorset Council, and the ongoing work to develop our emerging Seafront Masterplan, the scheme will not progress any further at this stage. We would like to thank Brett from Bacaro for all the work he has done on this and his cooperation during this trial.”

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Dorset Councillor Jon Orrell admitted the trial has had its problems but has provided useful lessons, with the busy road and constricting of the prom being negatives.

He said: “A rethink is needed, but not a total rejection.

A scheme that would back outdoor seating along Weymouth promenade has been scrapped

“I am generally in favour of making the promenade cafés and pubs with such stunning vistas, more friendly to people. The harbourside changes had my full support. Ideally, we'd see the park and ride connected by a shuttle bus, then the peninsula redeveloped from being a car park. Then we might imagine a low traffic zone beyond the statue.

“The reduced traffic could then see an area from the beach inland that is safer for children, cycles, older people and pets. Our Esplanade could be transformed for the better.”

Despite the town council's comments, Dorset Council said it was not a consultee on the trial sitting out licence and it "made no comment in support of, or in opposition to their application".

The Echo has attempted to contact Bacaro for comment.