Still a victory for the protesters
OUR front page story this week revealing that Palmers Brewery will not sell the Three Cups, or entertain the idea of reopening the iconic Broad Street building as an hotel, will disappoint many.
There are others in the town who will mutter: “I told you so.”
At the end of the day, the Three Cups is owned by Palmers and, within reason, they can do what they want with it.
That’s the bottom line.
The save The Three Cups Action Group say the fight is definitely not over, although they intend to step back from the negotiations until such time as Palmers submit an planning application.
There was some scepticism when Palmers originally rejected the hotel option after commissioning a report from a firm of experts which came to the conclusion that it would cost too much to convert the decaying building back into an hotel.
It was estimated that it could be as much as £3 to £4 million and it did not make business sense to spend that amount of money.
Many thought the figures quoted were grossly inflated and, I understand, there were at least two serious approaches from those who were prepared to buy the building and return it to its former glory, one from an established hotel group.
But Palmers say they will not sell the Three Cups “under any circumstances” and we are told they have “no appetite” for the hotel option.
It is unlikely they will change their minds.
I remember the Three Cups in its heyday, particularly when it was run by the late Albert Raffo, a Mancunian publican who was fully aware that the old building had many operational difficulties, even at the height of its popularity.
I have to admit that I was shocked with the interior condition of the Three Cups when recently shown around with other members of the press.
Even back in the 1980s it must have been a terrible fire hazard. So what happens now?
Palmers say they are dedicated to working with the people of Lyme to come up with a suitable scheme which will benefit the community and meet their business requirements.
They have not ruled out a “mixed use” for the Three Cups which could feature some residential accommodation with a restaurant and some retail units.
Whilst there may be some disappointment that the hotel option seems to be a dead duck, the most important factor is that the Three Cups, when developed, will not be the eyesore it has become in the town’s main trading area.
Another big factor is that the building will be made safe for all time.
That’s why I don’t think the protesters, particularly the Save The Three Cups Action Group, should be too upset about the situation.
Following the initial furore resulting from John Grantham organising that first protest meeting in Bridport afer forming his Community Alert group, well attended public meetings in Lyme formed the Action Group with John Dover taking on the role of chairman.
From day one John was anxious to proceed in a spirit of co-operation, rather than taking an antagonistic view to Palmers’ reluctance to engage in any meaningful public debate.
Bringing the Palmers to the table and getting a commitment to work with the town to find a suitable solution was a huge achievement.
The protesters had succeeded where our elected representatives had failed miserbly for over 20 years. Lyme Town Council had made a number of attempts over the years to engage Palmers in discussions, without success, and then the instability of the land behind the Cups became an issue.
Palmers claim they were thwarted on many occasions by the district council because of the coastal defence problems, but none of these to my knowledge have been publicly confirmed which has led the further scepticism from the public.
The district council’s reponse to John Grantham’s complaints about the danger of the building also left much to be desired.
John has made himself very unpopular at High West Street in Dorchester. He was even banned from contacting certain officers.
Once the action group, was formed in Lyme, he took a back seat but continues to press the district council over the safety issues.
For sure, he won’t be on council leader Robert Gould’s Christmas card list, but I doubt whether that will worry him too much.
You can always rely on the people of Lyme to rally to a good cause but the Three Cups protests were among the most vociferous in recent years, causing a few spats among our town councillors and the electorate.
However, had John Grantham not started the ball rolling, and John Dover adopted a more conciliatory approach, the Three Cups could have continued its decay for many years to come.
We should never just sit back and accept “that’s the way it is”.
Hopefully, it will not be long before the Three Cups stands proud again - even if it’s not an hotel.
A victory for the people.
A sight for sore eyes
THE road sign at the top of Sherborne Lane is rusty and just propped up against the wall.
It’s been that way for some time, despite several reports being made to West Dorset District Council, the responsible authority, by both the police and Lyme Regis Town Council.
Recently the police recovered the sign from Colway Mead and returned it to its rightful position.
As so often happens with the district council, very little seems to get done, prompting many to ask the question: “Do they really care about Lyme?” Perhaps this is something our two district councillors could take on board?
If you have any doubts about the district council’s failing ability to keep our streets clean, let me direct you to page five and the brilliant letter from local hairdresser Jane Caddy.
It beggars belief!
I’VE abandoned my rather putrid attempt to grow a trendy goatee beard, referred to in last week’s Lyme Matters column.
I decided to abandon the project when my former footballing colleague Lee Caddy stopped me in Broad Street and commented: “I see the cat’s left home”.
I went home and immediately shaved it off.
EVENT of the week most certainly should have been the farewell party the View staff threw for my eldest daughter Zoe who was due to fly out to Australia on Sunday evening.
Zoe has been working as a designer at the View for the last two years and after work on Friday we all piled into the Mariners Hotel (well, you’ve got to support the boss, haven’t you?) before ending up at Cobbys down at the Cobb for tapas and a pizza.
We know how to throw a party at the View and a good time was had by all, although Jackie and I baled out before the youngsters went on a pub crawl.
Our eldest son Darren came home on Saturday for a meal at the Bay Hotel (excellent food and service) and we were planning a farewell family lunch on Sunday.
By this time, however, her British Airways flight had been cancelled because of the volcanic ash situation and she was told it would at least a week before she would be able to fly to Cairns where she intends to spend the next 12 months.
So Zoe returned to work on Monday morning - and we might just have to do it all again on Friday!
WHAT do you do when the sun comes out and you have a few spare moments to your self down at the Cobb?
There’s only answer - read the View from Lyme Regis as these two discerning ladies did over the weekend, captured by local photographer Peter Wiles.
In fact, demand for the View from Lyme Regis has never been greater with over 3,700 copies picked up every week, at least three times more than any other local newspaper in the town.
Recently, Tesco in Lyme Regis distributed over 900 copies, a record since they opened, and we now have 53 different distribution outlets in Lyme, Uplyme, Charmouth and Hunters Lodge.
During the peak summer months we expect the distribution of the View from Lyme Regis to regularly exceed 4,000 copies every week.
www.viewfromonline.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment