As reported, in an unexpected 5:2 vote on Wednesday evening Weymouth Town Council’s services committee vetoed the majority of the 74 days’ worth of funfair dates proposed for 2023.

It means there will be no funfair at the Pavilion forecourt except for the Easter holidays. A total of 20 days’ worth of funfairs will still go ahead at the Jubilee Clock.

Speaking to the Echo yesterday, Edward Danter of Danters’ Fairs said he is still coming to terms with the news, which came as a “complete shock.”

He had been in discussions with the council about mitigation measures including additional security staff, fewer funfair days; CCTV, and earlier finish times, among others.

 “I can’t understand how just a few people on the committee can do this," Mr Danter said. "These accusations of anti-social behaviour are unfounded - I’m really shocked and upset. We haven’t even been given a chance to make improvements.”

The business owner admitted that there have occasionally been problems with troublemakers, but said this is not unusual in a busy seaside resort, and that he and his family have been bringing the funfair to Weymouth for more than 30 years, running it to "a very high standard."

"The public support shows we are wanted by the majority of people in the town,” Mr Danter added.

Funfair rides on the Pavilion forecourt (Image: Edward Danter)

As reported, complaints of anti-social behaviour and noise had been made by hoteliers, as well as the manager of Weymouth Pavilion who said the theatre loses money when funfairs are held on the forecourt.

Screaming from some of the larger rides, such as 'Oxygen,' was a particular sticking point for the businesses and residents who complained at recent council meetings.

Alternative sites at the Swannery car park and Peninsula had been proposed by Weymouth Town Council as a compromise - but in a blow, were taken off the table by Dorset Council ahead of this week's meeting.

The landowner said funfairs could damage the surface of the Swannery car park, and that costs would be prohibitive. The Peninsula was ruled out as construction work is due to begin.

Councillor Peter Dickinson, who proposed the motion against the funfair on Wednesday, said that without an alternative site he could not support the fairs "as businesses such as the hotels and Pavilion are here 365 days of the year – not just 74 days."

Councillor Tia Roos had hoped to see more options for compromise put before the committee. She said that although younger people will be left disappointed, there is an opportunity for other events to be held.

Meanwhile committee chairman councillor Ryan Hope, who had voted in support of the fair, said it is “disappointing” that the majority of committee members did not give mitigation measures a chance.

"The majority of residents and visitors support the fairground," he added.

"This will have a detrimental impact on the council's budget: (the council will lose) approximately £23,547 profit in booking fees at a time when it should be looking at ways other than the council tax precept to generate income." 

Councillor Hope added that he felt the fairground was "being blamed for behaviour that is happening on the seafront and surrounding areas every day of the year” - and that the council’s efforts should be targeted at resolving this, "rather than preventing an activity that brings joy to the majority.”

You can watch the full discussion at the council's services committee meeting below:

The Weymouth Hotel and Guesthouse Leaseholders Association declined to comment.