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BBC News
11-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Disused indoor market in Weymouth could make way for budget hotel
A former shopping arcade that is empty and "in a sorry state" could be turned into a plans are agreed, Colwell Shopping Centre in Weymouth - also known as School Street Plaza - would be demolished and replaced with a 70-room budget proposal has been amended since it was first tabled in 2022. Previous applications for the site have included councillors will consider the outline application on Thursday. Responding to the application, conservation officers said the existing building was "absent of any historic value" and had a "negative impact" on the appearance of the conservation development and tourism officers said: "If it displaces some older hotels, it will both improve the visitor offer and enable some older hotels to revert to housing, which is desperately required."Our service would want to encourage tourists, we do not want to encourage homes being turned into holiday accommodation, and this sort of development helps meet that ambition."Ward councillor Jon Orrell previously said the site had "not worked as an indoor shopping centre" and was "in a sorry state". He said: "A well-developed new building should be an improvement on the current run-down site." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Popular English beach town launches new ride in time for summer
Plus, from beaches to dinosaurs – Haven's Weymouth Bay resort has lots to see RIDE ON Popular English beach town launches new ride in time for summer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE new ride has made an appearance in a popular UK coastal resort. Weymouth has a new structure, stretching 26 metres tall and accommodating up to 108 passengers, with views across the coast. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The wheel stretches 26 metres tall Credit: Mirrorpix 3 It was financed by the people who run the local funfair Credit: Mirrorpix The Observation Wheel, which has been financed by the people who run the local funfair, is located on the central beach in the town. According to the SomersetLive, locals have been enthusiastic about the new addition. One local, named Robert, said: "We always come down to Weymouth. We used to do a lot of diving in the sea here. "So we thought we'd come back and visit some of the regular haunts for our anniversary." Some locals also mentioned how the town used to be quite run down, but that the new wheel has brought more confidence to locals about improving the appeal of the town to visitors. Another local added: "The Observation Wheel has only been up a few weeks and I don't mind it. "It adds something and brings people in." The wheel is located at Weymouth Central Beach's end, which is also home to a number of fairground attractions and seaside activities. The wheel costs £11 to go on, and riders will see amazing views across the coast. Other locals mentioned how the wheel will help local businesses as it will bring people down in the summer. Inside the UK seaside town home to the country's longest beach and its biggest ice creams Mayor of Weymouth, Councillor Jon Orrell, said: "The observation wheel is one of the tallest attractions on the beach offering fantastic views of Weymouth's iconic Jurassic coastline. "We are pleased to see this new attraction opening on the beach for the very first time, which complements the other seasonal rides. "It will offer something for all ages for residents and visitors alike." Weymouth has also been described as a supersized UK seaside town that's home to the country's biggest beach and foot-long Mr Whippy ice creams. Plus, from beaches to dinosaurs – Haven's Weymouth Bay resort has lots to see.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Popular English beach town launches new ride in time for summer
A HUGE new ride has made an appearance in a popular UK coastal resort. Advertisement 3 The wheel stretches 26 metres tall Credit: Mirrorpix 3 It was financed by the people who run the local funfair Credit: Mirrorpix The Observation Wheel, which has been financed by the people who run the local According to the One local, named Robert, said: "We always come down to Weymouth. We used to do a lot of diving in the sea here. "So we thought we'd come back and visit some of the regular haunts for our anniversary." Advertisement Some locals also mentioned how the town used to be quite run down, but that the new wheel has brought more confidence to locals about improving the appeal of the town to visitors. Another local added: "The Observation Wheel has only been up a few weeks and I don't mind it. "It adds something and brings people in." The wheel is located at Weymouth Central Beach's end, which is also home to a number of fairground attractions and seaside activities. Advertisement Most read in News Travel Exclusive The wheel costs £11 to go on, and riders will see amazing views across the coast. Other locals mentioned how the wheel will help local businesses as it will bring people down in the summer . Inside the UK seaside town home to the country's longest beach and its biggest ice creams Mayor of Weymouth, Councillor Jon Orrell, said: "The observation wheel is one of the tallest attractions on the beach offering fantastic views of "We are pleased to see this new attraction opening on the beach for the very first time, which complements the other seasonal rides. Advertisement "It will offer something for all ages for residents and visitors alike." Weymouth has also been described as a supersized UK seaside town that's home to the c Plus, from beaches to dinosaurs – Haven's Weymouth Bay resort has lots to see. 3 The Mayor of Weymouth has said it boasts amazing views of Weymouth's iconic Jurassic coastline. Credit: Mirrorpix Advertisement
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beacons, beach party and flag raising: Events to commemorate VE Day
Round-up of events across Dorset for VE Day (Image: Dorchester Town Council) IT'S the 80-year anniversary of VE Day and Dorset communities have a lot planned to mark the occasion. Victory in Europe Day, known as VE Day, is celebrated on May 8 each year to mark the day the Allies formally accepted Germany's surrender in 1945 - and for 2025 it's a landmark anniversary. There are many events happening across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester tomorrow and for the next few days. We have complied a list of the range of VE Day events happening across the three communities. Weymouth events Thursday, May 8 A VE day flag will be flown next to the Weymouth war memorial all day. ADVERTISEMENT At 9pm, the Royal British Legion will hold a short service at the Jubilee Clock followed by a beacon lighting ceremony organised by Weymouth Town Council. The special VE 80 beacon being lit at 9.30pm. Beacon lighting (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 From 1pm until 9.45pm, a line-up of local bands will perform on Weymouth Beach. The live music will follow an introduction speech from mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell. On the run up to the day, Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Jon Orrell, said: 'We are proud to be supporting a range of events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day across Weymouth. 'Members of the public are invited to join us on the 8th May for the beacon lighting, and we are encouraging people to create a relaxed, festival-style atmosphere at the beach concert on Saturday 10th May, so bring a picnic, blankets, and sit back enjoy the performances. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've also funded a range of community events to complement our programme, so join together and be part of this significant occasion.' Other events in Weymouth include: The Nothe Fort: A new audio drama by ScreenPLAY about homefront life during World War II, featuring students from St Marys's Puddletown School from 11am until 12pm on May 8. VE day ScreenPLAY at the Nothe (Image: ScreenPLAY) RAFA Afternoon Tea: Free afternoon tea for all veterans, serving military and club members from 3pm on May 8. Mission Hall Sutton Poyntz: Fish and chips, quiz, beacon lighting on May 8. Tickets: Hillyd54@ Portraits on Parade: Portraits of WW2 veterans on parade on the promenade at Weymouth seafront on May 8 and 9. The Veterans Hub memorial mural: Created in the garden of the Veterans Hub in collaboration with local artists. The garden is used by veterans, friends and family members as a quiet reflection space. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Blind Club: Cream teas and music for members of Weymouth Blind Club. Open Air Concert: Refreshments and live music available to the community in the St Laurence Church car park in Upwey from 12pm until 4pm on May 10. MV Freedom: Veterans are invited to take a trip on the MV Freedom catamaran on May 10. Contact peteryork970@ to arrange. Portland events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a flag raising ceremony will be held at Victoria Square roundabout followed by the proclamation at the American Memorial. At 3pm, an Honouring our Heroes free event will run at Easton Lane Market Ground with music and stalls. At 4pm, a service will be held at the Portland Cenotaph. At 6pm, the bells will ring at St George's, All Saints and St John's church. At 9pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will be held at the New Ground with a performance from Weymouth Concert Brass. ADVERTISEMENT Weymouth Concert Brass (Image: Archive)Dorchester events Thursday, May 8 At 9am, a VE tribute will be held at the town pump at Cornhill before a flag is raised at town hall along with a town crier tribute. From 8.15pm until 9.30pm, a beacon lighting ceremony will take place on Salisbury Field accompanied by music from the Decadettes, as well as a reading of local memories from As One Theatre. The town crier will also re-read his tribute before Joe Ansell performs the Last Post as the beacon is lit. The Decadettes (Image: Dorchester Town Council)Saturday, May 10 At 12.15pm, a free concert from Casterbridge Male Voice Choir will take place at the Corn Exchange- performing a range of music from the 1940s. Celebrations in Dorchester will conclude on May 11 with a free concert in Borough Gardens from 1pm until 4pm with music from the Decadettes and Durnovaria Silver Band.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Weymouth Beach seaside observation wheel set to open
An observation wheel offering "fantastic views of the iconic Jurassic coastline" is set to open later in 26m (85ft) high white wheel has been built on the Esplanade at Weymouth Beach next to the sand sculpture big wheel, with pods that can take up to 108 passengers, is set to offer rides from 17:00 is expected to remain on the beach until October, running 12:00-17:00 on weekdays, and 11:00-19:00 at weekends. To celebrate its opening, Weymouth Town Council said the wheel's operator would offer the first 50 people a free ride on a first-come first-serve of Weymouth, councillor Jon Orrell said: "The observation wheel is one of the tallest attractions on the beach offering fantastic views of Weymouth's iconic Jurassic coastline."We are pleased to see this new attraction opening on the beach for the very first time, which complements the other seasonal rides. "It will offer something for all ages for residents and visitors alike."The wheel is being run by Spencer Hall and family, along with seven other rides on the beach, including trampolines, a balloon ride, a pirate coaster and a helter Council approved the plans for the observation wheel in February. The Super Snails that had been on the beach for nearly 25 years are resting in their shells after Weymouth Town Council merged pitches for the summer attractions on the ride's owner needed to apply for a seasonal contract to get a pitch on the beach from March to resort previously had a £3.5m 53m-high (174ft) rotating viewing Skyline opened in June 2012 ahead of the London Olympic sailing events, but closed in 2019 due to falling visitor numbers. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
