Council decide to run Weymouth beach kiosk site despite strong opposition

Available for over a year

Weymouth Town Council have voted to fund the takeover of a popular seafront kiosk in Weymouth. More than 1500 people had signed a petition to stop the council running Aunty Vi's cafe at Brunswick Terrace when the current lease expires in March 2021. The kiosk has been operated by Peter Townsend for the past 14 years, after he invested £40,000 in the business. Financing the Council's own catering facility will cost nearly £60,000, and the decision not to put the service out to public tender has resulted in an angry backlash on social media. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent's Dorset Breakfast Show, the leader of Weymouth Town Council, David Harris defended the decision. But the president of Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce Craig Oakes told Steve Harris the matter hasn't been well handled, and a rethink or appeal would be appropriate.