Message from Ferrybridge Developments LLP, owners of the Ferrybridge Inn.
As the owners of the Ferrybridge Inn, we are delighted to see members of the local community supporting the pub; since taking ownership in 2009 it has always been our goal to keep the pub trading for as long as possible. The future of the Ferrybridge Inn site is an important issue for the local community. Unfortunately, the pub in its current form is not economically viable and for many years redevelopment has been the only way forward. The building is living on borrowed time. It gets hammered by the elements, and as a result of years of underinvestment prior to our buying it, we can only carry out short-term patching- up. The cost of full remediation works and other outlays are prohibitively high. Quite simply, the Ferrybridge Inn cannot continue operating in the current building over the medium to long term. We could have chosen to close the pub a number of years ago but instead reached agreement with the current tenants whereby we effectively subsidise the pub in order for it to be able to be run at a profit for them. They have always been aware of time limits on the tenancy and the future redevelopment of the site. We are very pleased that this agreement has been successful in keeping the pub open but it is not a long-term solution.
We do, however, intend to continue to support Chris and the Ferrybridge Inn for as long as possible. No decision has yet been made as to whether any future development will host a community pub and/or restaurant alongside housing, or will be housing only. The latter housing-only use is in line with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s proposals for the site but it is our intention to submit two outline planning applications – one with and one without a pub/restaurant. Our preference is to reinstate a pub/restaurant on the site. It will then be up to the Council to determine whether to approve both, either, or neither application following consultation with the local community. We provided information on each of the proposals at a public exhibition held at the Ferrybridge Inn on 12th and 13th September.
Both proposals elicited strong support. It is expected that the two planning applications will be submitted in the coming weeks, reflecting views expressed by the community at the exhibition. Given the support in this group for there to continue to be a pub on the site we would ask that members support the relevant planning application as this is the most likely route to a result that everybody can be happy with. Finally, we would like to correct one item of misinformation that is circulating. Ilchester Estates are not the owners of the site. They have an interest acquired originally through their historic ownership of the Fleet, part of which was reclaimed to create what is now the car park.
AND MY REPLY TO THIS……………. Save The Ferry Bridge! Inn If you had placed the add in the echo news paper, larger and more noticeable to people maybe there would of been more At these 2 meetings. Have you taken into consideration what goes on on this sight. Divers, fire station practice, tourists, walkers, protected birds, plants, the end of Weymouth & the beginning of the isle of Portland. The new pub/restaurant creating 12 jobs Loosing 12 jobs if F.B is closed so know gain there on jobs. Loophole on housing is to state affordable housing are you in a position to tell all how much is say a 2 bedrooms home, a 3 bed dwelling etc. Our objective is to make locals and others aware of this and as you can see support is there and no doubt objections to. Changing the F.B site we believe will destroy a perfectly good habitat, a place that many use from all over the country and no doubt world to. Please consider that after looking at the way the pub works now it is a thriving place to be.·
Commented on by Michael McManus
