A key component of the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan is the role of the historic Weymouth harbour. A long-term strategy is being developed to support the well-being of the harbour. The Harbour Management Board meetings [made up of a mix of councillors and independent stakeholders] are held throughout the year to discuss the future of the harbour.
Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Briefholder for Tourism, Culture & Harbours, said: “The strategy will be in line with – and contribute to – the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan, so that the programmes evolve harmoniously for the good of the town. We have good ongoing communications with the key stakeholders in our consultative group. This is important to our future planning and delivery of our exciting Masterplan vision.”
Cllr Ian Bruce, newly elected Chairman of the Harbour Management Board, said “Last year the Harbour out performed all expectations and we are determined to build on that to ensure long term success. One of the key selling points of our Marina Operations is that berth holders not only have one of the safest and most inexpensive places to moor their boats but have a great centre for the whole family to enjoy as a floating holiday home. We currently have vacant berths for under 15 metre boats and I urge locals to grab them quick before they are all gone”.
Some highlights of the progress made so far include:
- Investment in the facilities to enhance the safety of the harbour and the customer experience
- A successful bid for a grant from the European Fisheries Fund towards the cost of replacing some ageing pontoons
- A new on-line annual berth renewal process has been implemented for the first time. It is therefore intended to build on this to ultimately achieve full on-line renewals and payments, which improve efficiency and accuracy
- A basic storage facility for boats on trailers is now on offer to support our excellent customer experience offer
- Major film studio Warner Bros. will premier ‘Dunkirk’ this month, scenes of which were filmed in Weymouth Harbour. This generated an incomefor the Dorset Councils Partnership, with a significant proportion of that designated to the Harbour
- We have provided support to an exciting new aquaculture enterprise
- An industry expert has been commissioned to assist in developing a long-term strategy to support our vision
- We are working with local fisherman on an application for funding via FLAG [Fisheries Local Action Group]
