Weymouth funfairs 'saved' as cancelled dates WILL go ahead

A motion to reinstate funfair bookings on the Pavilion forecourt was passed at a full council meeting.

It comes after a swathe of proposed funfair bookings for the 2023 season were axed in a surprise move by the council's services committee in February.

This was due to significant concerns raised by hotel and guest house leaseholders at premises near the Pavilion and the Jubilee Clock.

Their complaints, which have been widely reported in previous coverage, largely concern noise and anti-social behaviour allegations linked to the fair.

But this has been hotly contested by fairground operator Edward Danter and the council's decision to cancel bookings was met by significant public backlash.

Shortly afterwards a group of town councillors proposed a motion for the decision to be called in for reconsideration at a full council meeting, which took place yesterday.

Despite a somewhat fractious meeting last night, fans of the funfair will be pleased to learn that rides will go ahead as planned in Weymouth this summer.

The confirmed dates for the funfairs are as follows:   

• 29th April to 1st May (three days) 
• 6th to 8th May (King’s coronation weekend, three days). 
• 27th May to 4th June (May half-term, nine days) 
• 1st to 31st August (Summer holidays, one operator)
• 21st October to 29th October (October school half-term, nine days) 
• 5th November (Bonfire Night, one day) 

Funfairs that were already booked at Easter and at the Jubilee Clock site remain unchanged. 

Conditions for the licences for funfair bookings on the Pavilion forecourt were also agreed.

Conditions include 

• closing the funfair at /no later than 9.30pm on “non-event nights”.
• On “event nights” such as Bonfire Night, the fair will close at / no later than 10.30pm.
• Operators will also be required not to set up or break down equipment after 10pm or before 8am.
• Operators will be required to reduce the volume of music and announcements for the last hour of operation each day. 
• On event nights, the operator will be required to employ two licensed door supervisors to patrol the funfair area.
• Moving the funfair to alternative sites in 2024 will also be investigated.
• The funfair operator was asked to provide toilets. 

Town mayor councillor Ann Weaving, chairman of the Full Council meeting, said: “The decision to reinstate the funfair bookings on the Pavilion forecourt, along with the additional measures we have agreed the operators must put in place, seeks to address the diverse concerns put forward from members of the public, local organisations, and local businesses.

"The funfairs provide activities for the benefit of both residents and visitors, and I’m grateful to everyone who has taken the time to contribute their views on this topic.”  

What was said at the meeting?

At last night's meeting a spokesperson for the Weymouth Hoteliers, Guest House & Leaseholders Association (WHGHLA) suggested the issue had been blown out of proportion on social media, and that they had never wanted to 'cancel' funfairs.

Councillor Luke Wakeling said funfairs make a significant contribution to the council’s budget, helping to pay for events in the town – and difficult decisions could be made on where to save money if income is lost.

“For every £3 we collect in the precept, we spend £4,” he said. “We have to balance the books.”

He added that anti-social behaviour happens regardless of whether funfairs are held, and that troublesome behaviour has been noticeably worse since Covid.

“We are a busy, lively seaside town – people are choosing to come here – you cannot expect it to be quiet all day and all night. Youth clubs are being cut – the fairs provide a way for young people to release some energy and could help reduce ASB.

“Unfortunately when you have large crowds (during events) a small minority will cause problems.”

He said people are passionate about the debate on both sides and thanked those who have engaged in the process by speaking at meetings.

“Personally we are a resort – I find it very difficult to say ‘you are allowed to come here but you’re not allowed to have fun’.”

Councillors at tonight's meeting (Image: Weymouth Town Council)

Cllr Wakeling said that cancelling funfairs will result in a loss of more than £20,000 worth of income for Weymouth Town Council, and that reinstating the bookings will negate this loss. This could help keep the council tax precept down.

Several rounds of amendments to the original motion were proposed during a lively - if at times chaotic - debate.

Among the major sticking points tonight was a recommendation that during the summer holidays only one fairground operator should be chosen - said to have been suggested to reduce noise from build and break of rides.

There was also disagreement over suggestions for alternative sites. Some councillors wanted to challenge landowner Dorset Council after the Swannery car park was ruled out due to weak tarmac.

Weymouth's Lodmoor country park had also been dismissed previously, officially due to concerns for wildlife at the Sealife Centre - although fairground operator Edward Danter has also said the site is unviable due to low visitor numbers.

Challenges were also made in respect of claims about the financial benefit to local taxpayers of holding funfairs. 

It is understood that the caveat that operators will fund toilet provisions will help address discrepancies.

Although there will likely be members of the community who remain unhappy with tonight's decision, it is positive to see the decision being brought back in for further examination, and compromises found. 

Celebrating the decision, Edward and Ellen Danter of Danters Fairs said: "We are delighted with the news about our visits to Weymouth being reinstated! We would like to thank everyone who supported us including local businesses, councillors, the thousands who signed the petition and the many lovely messages received. We appreciate it all.

"We’ve taken all feedback on board and can’t wait to see you all on our next visit."

• Click here to watch tonight's funfair debate in full.

On a separate note, we strongly believe that there is no place for personal attacks or verbal abuse within a constructive debate and would like to thank all our readers and the wider public who have been courteous towards others throughout this process.

•  Pick up a forthcoming copy of the Echo for an in-depth review of tonight's proceedings.