As reported in today’s Dorset Echo, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have indicated their support for the slim, 53 metre structure. They voted unanimously to lease land to Merlin Entertainment, who want to build the ‘Eye’ in time for the 2012 Olympics.
Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce are also backing the scheme. President Andy Cooke said: “The tower will be one of the things that will help the town to go places.”
Everyone is now waiting to hear to outcome of the planning committee, which meets on 22 July. “Planning is key; without that nothing happens,” said a spokesman for Merlin Entertainment. “We need to start the project in August in order to have it ready for the Olympics.”
Those who object to the tower on aesthetic grounds have a point. The Tower will be a change to the view of Weymouth Bay, a panorama that many have cherished for years. But that’s unlikely to deter many visitors from coming to a town that thrives on tourism.
The Eye is more likely to increase the numbers coming in and, more importantly to local businesses, to keep them in the town once they arrived. The more seafront attractions we have, the longer tourists, and their wallets and purses, will remain in Weymouth rather than day-tripping elsewhere.
If that all sounds rather mercenary, it’s because Weymouth and Portland need their shops and offices to be full if the area is to avoid becoming a run-down backwater. The country faces years of slow economic recovery and in some areas it could stall completely, through a lack of foresight and investment. We at Bizoh don’t want that to happen here.
The Weymouth Eye will set the town apart from all the UK’s other seaside resorts. It will also complement Weymouth’s location at the heart of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
In twelve months time, this area will be in the global spotlight for two weeks, with pictures of our wonderful coastline and facilities beamed across the globe to millions. It’s a unique opportunity to promote Weymouth as a must-see destination. Merlin has spotted this and wants to capitalise on it. So should we.
