For sale? No. So, Compulsory Purchase ASAP!

West Dorset District Council say that "no prospective buyer has come forward to purchase either the Old Swan or The Three Cups". That's because Palmers have refused to put them up for sale.

If WDDC would care to make some enquiries, they would find several prospective buyers for The Three Cups and that Lyme Regis is desparately short of hotel beds. So The Three Cups could be bought and sold at a profit under existing legislation. They would also find that the vast majority of residents in Lyme Regis want to see The Cups re-opened as a hotel and not gutted in the interests of Palmers' property development schemes. The councillors of WDDC were elected to serve the people of their area. Isn't it about time we saw them doing just that? Every day they delay, Lyme Regis loses money and visitors turn away disappointed.

Watch out for more detailed reporting in the local press around Lyme Regis.

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Well being delayed is well being denied

A report on page 2 of the Western Gazette of 3rd September indicates that West Dorset District Council are going to give Palmers more time to re-open The Three Cups. After 20 years, one can't help wondering how this will serve the interests of the people of Lyme Regis...

...or if the council is really interested in promoting the economic, social and environmental well being of the area.

The text of the report follows:

District in Talks to buy empty Premises

WEST Dorset District Council will be looking into the possibility of compulsory purchasing two empty food and drink premises next week.

Cllr Janet Page put forward a motion in July to the council, requesting it to start action on the Three Cups in Lyme Regis, and the Old Swan Public House at Toller Porcorum, both of which have been vacant for a long time, and are owned by Bridport-based Palmers Brewery.

The issue will be discussed at the council's executive committee meeting on Tuesday. However, the recommendation made by David Evans, director of plannning and environment, is to wait for three months to monitor attempts to get the premises open again.

He said: "Steps are now being taken by the owner of Thre Three Cups, Lyme Regis, to prepare a scheme for the renovation and development of the premises, and the offer by the owner of the Old Swan, Toller Porcorum, is to open negotiations to lease the property to a community group on favourable terms.

"In the light of the response to the council's actions, it would be inappropriate to commence the process of compulsory purchase of these properties.

"The council will continue to monitor the condition of these properties and respond to matters of public safety."

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Empty Cups - bad for business, bad for Lyme

David Parker, chairman of the Lyme Regis and District Hotel and Restaurants Association, explained the impact of the empty and derelict state of the famous Three Cups Hotel on his own accommodation business and the tourist trade in Lyme Regis in the latest edition of The Bridport & Lyme Regis News. Click here to read the article.

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