Diners at newly-relaunched Weymouth harbourside restaurant The Loft were told to "Bring your own beer" after licensing issues stopped them being able to serve alcohol on opening night.

Issues with the handing over of the premises licence from the previous owner meant the new owners were told by Dorset Council to stop the serving of alcoholic beverages.

Read more: Popular harbourside restaurant reopens this week

To keep spirits high, the owners urged customers to "bring your own" whether that be beers, wines or spirits.

As reported, Gary Pullin and his family have taken over the reins at The Loft on Custom House Quay. A grand re-opening was planned for Friday, April 28 to coincide with the bank holiday weekend.

The family, originally from near Bristol but now living in Weymouth, also own the nearby Crustacean restaurant in St Mary’s Street which they opened in May 2022.

Speaking after the opening night, Mr Pullin told the Echo he was feeling "down and a bit depressed".

He said: "People want to come to see it and be seen drinking outside on the harbour

"There was a lot of upset and frustration and myself and my family have put a lot of work in so of course it is disappointing."

Not looking to moan, Mr Pullin said they will just have to continue selling soft drinks until they can apply for a temporary licence at a meeting with Dorset Council next Tuesday.

He said: "We're here for a long time, not a short time, it is a learning curve for us and would be the first thing to check if we ever opened a new pub.

"I have no ill feelings towards Dorset Council, we're not blaming them, they are just doing their job.

"The buck stops with me, The Loft are here to follow the rules."

The Loft reopened under new owners for the first time on Friday April 28 2023.

Formerly The Stable, the venue has been shut for almost two years

Mr Pullin is now looking to obtain a temporary licence which could allow the pub to serve alcoholic drinks for a few days at a time.

The licence could be in place in just over two weeks' time, according to Mr Pullin.

Until then, the pub will continue to sell food and soft drinks for customers.

Mr Pullin said: "We are of course going to follow the rules.

"I wouldn't put myself or my family in jeopardy, it isn't worth it."