Other sites considered for Pavilion funfair due to trouble

It comes as Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee met to consider proposed dates and sites for the 2025 funfair season. 

While it was decided a fair would continue to operate on the seafront next to the Jubilee Clock from August 9 to 21, the Pavilion forecourt site was a point of contention among hoteliers.

This has prompted the council to look at other sites before confirming bookings.

Many funfair bookings were previously axed in 2023 as hotel and guest house leaseholders at premises near the Pavilion and the Jubilee Clock complained of noise and trouble caused by young people attending the fair.

READ MORE: Anger over funfairs on Weymouth seafront

Bookings were later reinstated in both locations however, concerns still remain. 

Speaking at the meeting, Claire Wall, chairman of Weymouth Hoteliers Guesthouses & Leaseholders Association (WHGLA), told councillors: "We're still raising the same issues.

"You're not listening and you're not doing anything about it. The town council is supposed to support residents and businesses but it seems they're only supporting ones in the Jubilee Clock area, and the Pavilion is just being disregarded." 

Rides on the Pavilion forecourt (Image: Edward Danter) She added: "It's not suitable, the rides are getting higher and faster in that area now it's just silly."

In response to this, committee chairman Cllr Ryan Hope said: "This situation comes up year after year. We've explored all other options and they're not available.

"I'm disappointed with the WHGLA. We've given them contact details to report the issues. As these incidents weren't raised it is not helping us deal with facts and evidence."

Ms Wall interjected to say she was "disappointed" with the council. 

Cllr Louie O'Leary of the Littlemoor ward told the meeting that the funfair unintentionally exacerbates anti-social behaviour in the Pavilion area and proposed a new working group to consider alternative sites. 

He said: "Speaking to police officers, Monday nights in the summer are a real problem. You've got the fireworks and funfairs. I've had a number of young people of my ward involved in some serious issues. 

"I support having a funfair but we're creating a lot of trouble in the town centre which we're not meaning to do."

Previously, fair organisers have said claims that the fair increased anti-social behaviour were “unfair”. Operators Danters said they were always looking at ways to improve the business and work with local people to manage any issue.

Concerns were also raised about the upcoming repair work on harbour walls on Weymouth Peninsula which would coincide with the fair next year. 

According to a committee report no fairground bookings were made for May half term this year in Weymouth due to increased parking charges. 

Cllr Peter Dickenson added: "The Pavilion forecourt is totally the wrong place for this. Even more so next year when works are going on on the harbour wall.

"The car park at the back is only going to be half available so the Weymouth Pavilion doesn't have disabled parking for these dates. When there are shows on we won't be supporting our local businesses."

The council voted in favour of creating a working group to consider alternative sites, with a deadline of December 11 to coincide with the next Environment and Services Committee meeting.