UPDATED: Weymouth's Bayside Festival closed due to lack of visitors as organisers urge people to come to the town

10:50am Friday 3rd August 2012 in News By Emma Joseph

Come to Weymouth and cheer on Team GB! Come to Weymouth and cheer on Team GB!

“COME down to Weymouth and cheer on Team GB”. That is the message from the town as it urges people in Bournemouth and Poole to travel down and join in the Olympic fever.

The number of visitors to Weymouth during the 2012 Games has been down on what was expected and officials are now encouraging people to make the journey along the coast to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This morning, the organisers of the Bayside Festival announced they were closing down, effective immediately, because of a "dire" lack of visitors to Weymouth. We'll have more on this story as we get it.

 

Due to dire visitor numbers to Weymouth, Bayside Festival organisers have elected to voluntarily liquidate the business and close the site

— Bayside Festival (@BaysideFestival) August 3, 2012


 

 

Weymouth and Portland is hosting the Olympic sailing events this week and visitors can watch all the sailing action, plus other Olympic events, on giant screens at the free Live Site on Weymouth Beach.

Organisers say travelling to the town is easy, with traffic flowing freely and public transport running to schedule, with four park and ride sites in operation. The Monkey’s Jump park and ride at Dorchester is free after 1pm for the rest of the Games.

Also running are the Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea and the ICCI 360 Dome screening 360 degree films and animation.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s briefholder for tourism and culture, Cllr Ian Bruce said: “As many people will have seen on the BBC coverage of the sailing competitions, Weymouth and Portland is providing a truly stunning backdrop for the London 2012 Olympic sailing events.

“The borough offers a unique Olympic experience by the sea, so come and join us, support our Olympic sailors and take advantage of the array of events and activities on offer across our area this summer.”

Cllr Bruce said a visit to Weymouth and Portland was a must for an “action-packed summer to remember”.

He added: “Residents across the Bournemouth area are just a stone’s throw from the Olympic sailing venue, so come and soak up the wonderful Olympic atmosphere.”

 

All our Olympic coverage

 

Comments(42)

SeaCatSurfer says...
11:08am Fri 3 Aug 12

All that brainwashing by the local BBC etc didn't work then

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markymark3 says...
11:12am Fri 3 Aug 12

Bit of poor journalism, the headline says the Bayside Festival is now closed, and in the article its asking people to come down to it, and also advertising how much it costs to go to it.

Report this post »

tricky1007 says...
11:23am Fri 3 Aug 12

markymark3 wrote:
Bit of poor journalism, the headline says the Bayside Festival is now closed, and in the article its asking people to come down to it, and also advertising how much it costs to go to it.
Have they changed the article? because i cant see that

Report this post »

burgerboy says...
11:41am Fri 3 Aug 12

Bayside festival closed due to lack of visitors,Not to mention rip off pricing,what next? Weymouth olympics closed due to lack of interest,bad organization and also extortionate pricing....this one has realy came back to bite the greedy s@ds on the ar*e.!!!...

Report this post »

markymark3 says...
11:43am Fri 3 Aug 12

tricky1007 wrote:
markymark3 wrote:
Bit of poor journalism, the headline says the Bayside Festival is now closed, and in the article its asking people to come down to it, and also advertising how much it costs to go to it.
Have they changed the article? because i cant see that
The articles been changed since.

Report this post »

Peggy Babcock says...
12:05pm Fri 3 Aug 12

This is a case of victims of their own greed. Charging a fortune for park and ride plus entrance fees to watch events which quite frankly you don't have a clue what's going on. Nah - not for me.

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TheDistrict says...
12:08pm Fri 3 Aug 12

The traders can only blame themselves. They had plenty of time to realise and organise what was ahead of them. I have been down to Weymouth and Portland to see the Sailing events, and have found that there are thousands and thousands of people arriving in Weymouth, but they have come to see the Sailing and Windsurfing etc, and more than likely not to bother with the normal offerings of Weymouth. On the other hand seeing some of the hype prices for food and drink, and accommodation, it is blatantly obvious that the majority of traders are only in it for the money. Bad planning on their side. Weymouth and Portland Council, the Olympic people have done a grand job on ensuring that access to Weymouth is easy, and enjoyable, and the days enjoyable to. Well done Weymouth.

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Arjay says...
12:17pm Fri 3 Aug 12

It would appear that company behind the Bayside Festival, Mainsail, are more used to hosting more 'upmarket' events, where money is probably no object.
Trying to attract large numbers of 'ordinary' family folk, in these difficult financial times, by charging inflated prices, was always likely to end in tears.

They are probably best at sticking with entertaining the 'hoorays', where they can charge silly prices, without anyone even noticing....

Report this post »

jasoncc123 says...
12:36pm Fri 3 Aug 12

I'd rather watch it on telly , than go to dorchester , pay the park and ride , and spend more money I haven't got !! , it was always going to be a EPIC FAIL !! , because when are yu all going to realise , NO-ONE HAS GOT ANY MONEY !!!!!

Report this post »

talkischeap says...
12:38pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Come and soak up weymouths wonderful olympic atmosphere ??.
Fair enough ,so why are you closing it down - would it be because the wonderful atmosphere packed its bags and went home ? I dont think
i'll waste the fuel as you are closed!

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BIGTONE says...
12:44pm Fri 3 Aug 12

It's all about corporate greed and nothing else.

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Pablo23 says...
1:26pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Arjay wrote:
It would appear that company behind the Bayside Festival, Mainsail, are more used to hosting more 'upmarket' events, where money is probably no object.
Trying to attract large numbers of 'ordinary' family folk, in these difficult financial times, by charging inflated prices, was always likely to end in tears.

They are probably best at sticking with entertaining the 'hoorays', where they can charge silly prices, without anyone even noticing....
According to their web site it was £1 to get in. Not that expensive is it, even in a recession.

Report this post »

Arjay says...
1:51pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Pablo23 wrote:
Arjay wrote:
It would appear that company behind the Bayside Festival, Mainsail, are more used to hosting more 'upmarket' events, where money is probably no object.
Trying to attract large numbers of 'ordinary' family folk, in these difficult financial times, by charging inflated prices, was always likely to end in tears.

They are probably best at sticking with entertaining the 'hoorays', where they can charge silly prices, without anyone even noticing....
According to their web site it was £1 to get in. Not that expensive is it, even in a recession.
Bit of a last minute change, that obviously came too late! ..Prices were £10.... not £1.

See here, for example:

http://www.mysocialw
hirl.com/events/eart
h-wind-fire-tribute-
weymouth-bayside-fes
tival/

Report this post »

Arjay says...
1:52pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Pablo23 wrote:
Arjay wrote:
It would appear that company behind the Bayside Festival, Mainsail, are more used to hosting more 'upmarket' events, where money is probably no object.
Trying to attract large numbers of 'ordinary' family folk, in these difficult financial times, by charging inflated prices, was always likely to end in tears.

They are probably best at sticking with entertaining the 'hoorays', where they can charge silly prices, without anyone even noticing....
According to their web site it was £1 to get in. Not that expensive is it, even in a recession.
Bit of a last minute change, that obviously came too late! ..Prices were £10.... not £1.

See here, for example:

http://www.mysocialw
hirl.com/events/eart
h-wind-fire-tribute-
weymouth-bayside-fes
tival/

Report this post »

Mike Oxbig says...
2:18pm Fri 3 Aug 12

jasoncc123 wrote:
I'd rather watch it on telly , than go to dorchester , pay the park and ride , and spend more money I haven't got !! , it was always going to be a EPIC FAIL !! , because when are yu all going to realise , NO-ONE HAS GOT ANY MONEY !!!!!
I have.

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TheDistrict says...
2:41pm Fri 3 Aug 12

According to the lunchtime news, they have not closed because of the lack of visitors. It is because they have gone into liquidation, with stall holders losing out on money taken to date. A bit like the Christmas Park at Matchams again.

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itsallgammon says...
4:31pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Mike Oxbig wrote:
jasoncc123 wrote:
I'd rather watch it on telly , than go to dorchester , pay the park and ride , and spend more money I haven't got !! , it was always going to be a EPIC FAIL !! , because when are yu all going to realise , NO-ONE HAS GOT ANY MONEY !!!!!
I have.
So have I, but that's because I don't throw it around on what Jason correctly terms an EPIC FAIL.

I must also say to Pablo, it's not just what it costs to get in is it? Tell me about how much "attractions "cost or the price of refreshments!

Report this post »

Mark_Jordan says...
4:45pm Fri 3 Aug 12

I went to Weymouth Monday with my Daughter.
Train was £10 for us bot from Poole and I expected it to be busy, but loads of empty seats.
Walked down to the festival point and again is was very quite. Paid a pound to get in but there was not much there so after she went on some rides, (which were £2 each), we went, it should have been free, as everything had to be paid for when you got in.
Went up the tower, which at £10 each was a bit expensive.
Go a Mr Whippy icecream for £2.30 each !!!!
Went to the Brewers Quay to find it closed down.
Went round the shops and back home.
Nothing to see here.....move along.

Report this post »

manyogie says...
4:56pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Parking fees raised in excess of 500%, not the best gateway to the Town is it!

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itsallgammon says...
4:59pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Mark_Jordan wrote:
I went to Weymouth Monday with my Daughter.
Train was £10 for us bot from Poole and I expected it to be busy, but loads of empty seats.
Walked down to the festival point and again is was very quite. Paid a pound to get in but there was not much there so after she went on some rides, (which were £2 each), we went, it should have been free, as everything had to be paid for when you got in.
Went up the tower, which at £10 each was a bit expensive.
Go a Mr Whippy icecream for £2.30 each !!!!
Went to the Brewers Quay to find it closed down.
Went round the shops and back home.
Nothing to see here.....move along.
That's my point £60 quid plus for you and your daughter and for something, which, by the sound of it you did not enjoy.

I'm sure your daughter could think of thousands of better ways to spend what it takes someone on minimum wage 9 hours or so to earn.

Any lady could, in my experience

Report this post »

TheDistrict says...
5:13pm Fri 3 Aug 12

We went to Weymouth, and had a great day. We took a picnic hamper, found a spot on the beach and took in the surroundings, the sailing, the sunshine, and had a great day as I said. In the evening had a few drinks (soft ones for me) and took a nice drive home. Our outlay, a little amount of fuel, and the park and ride. Cheap as chips. Oh yes, we had a bag of them before leaving Weymouth.

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mithrandir says...
5:40pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Mike Oxbig wrote:
jasoncc123 wrote:
I'd rather watch it on telly , than go to dorchester , pay the park and ride , and spend more money I haven't got !! , it was always going to be a EPIC FAIL !! , because when are yu all going to realise , NO-ONE HAS GOT ANY MONEY !!!!!
I have.
lend us a tenner mike :-)

Report this post »

penhale says...
6:21pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Rip off hotel prices, rip off parking charges etc etc, you reap what you sow, your greed is your downfall.

Report this post »

dvdr says...
6:43pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Nor does it stop there! We in Broadstone have an essential local link closed off between the A31 and the route to our village and to Wimborne, purely for the benefit of Olympic visitors (now seemingly far fewer than expected, probably because of the rip-off culture). Is it surprising that lots of locals are thoroughly disenchanted with the whole Olympic business? My view is to stay away from Weymouth and anywhere else hosting Olympic events - I do not even want to watch on television - I am fed up of the whole business, and the sooner it is over the better!

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snake hips says...
6:43pm Fri 3 Aug 12

penhale wrote:
Rip off hotel prices, rip off parking charges etc etc, you reap what you sow, your greed is your downfall.
exactly.. could not have put it better.

Report this post »

Arjay says...
6:54pm Fri 3 Aug 12

So - the sailing is so far out to sea, you need to view it on a video screen on the beach....... you have a 'festival' who's headline music act is (was to be) someone called 'Chesney Hawkes' ??...... all set in a Victorian seaside resort that's been given a lick of paint.....

Hmmmm..... can't see putting prices UP for that is going to work very well?.....

Oh look, it hasn't worked.....what a surprise!..

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O'Reilly says...
7:57pm Fri 3 Aug 12

Chesney Hawkes....wasn't he in Coronation Street?

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burgerboy says...
8:29pm Fri 3 Aug 12

O'Reilly wrote:
Chesney Hawkes....wasn't he in Coronation Street?
Chesney Hawkes......didnt he have a shoe shop down poole high street?. (;o)

Report this post »

gameon says...
10:35pm Fri 3 Aug 12

TheDistrict wrote:
We went to Weymouth, and had a great day. We took a picnic hamper, found a spot on the beach and took in the surroundings, the sailing, the sunshine, and had a great day as I said. In the evening had a few drinks (soft ones for me) and took a nice drive home. Our outlay, a little amount of fuel, and the park and ride. Cheap as chips. Oh yes, we had a bag of them before leaving Weymouth.
Oh very nice you managed to drive into town then ? for us simple folk who live in weymouth we have a ban as you know 10 am to 10 pm your obviously one of coes mob or a walter mitty i dont beleive a word of what your saying.

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fuzzy wuzzie says...
12:24am Sat 4 Aug 12

I have found the main BBC TV London olympic coverage superb. Does Cllr Ian Bruce need glasses the TV coverage from Weymouth portland sailing events has been appalling. It looks cheap and nasty not very well done a big fail. I do hope theres a revue of why its so bad compared to the London coverage. As for going to Weymouth I'm skint and while we have the current muppets in power I can see no end to me being skint!!!

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Perry_Winkle says...
9:23am Sat 4 Aug 12

So, does the Department of Transport have enough cash left out of the £5.7m spent on a hamburger at Canford Bottom to count the cars and tell us exactly how big a waste of money and local people's time it was? Or are they all sipping champagne in the hoity-toity tent?

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goatty says...
9:27am Sat 4 Aug 12

Weymouth quiet...what a big surprise! Was always going to be a big rip off and people not prepared to make a long journey to watch a spec out at sea.
Look at the streets of London. A lot quieter than usual. I went on the train to London last week and it was very quiet.
It is all looking to be a major flop, which was something that the majority of the public knew in the first place and thats why a bankrupt country should never ever have held the games

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anonEmouse says...
10:36am Sat 4 Aug 12

As I have said in various posts on here since the planning phase of the diabolical waste of OUR money that is Canford Bottom roundabout. The sailing events at Weymouth will never be busy as you can see more from the comfort of your favorite armchair at home. It definitely did not need money wasted on a so called improvement to the roundabout to ease the mass of traffic expected to go to the Olympic events, as where is this traffic? Also it does not need the A349 to be closed To "games traffic management" or as is reported by the BBC on local radio as closed due to roadworks.
Another big FAIL by this stupid government and even more stupid local Councillors.
What do the organizers think will happen when you try to turn the Olympics into a huge marketing exercise, where its all about the money and not about the sport.

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harrythered says...
11:06am Sat 4 Aug 12

dvdr wrote:
Nor does it stop there! We in Broadstone have an essential local link closed off between the A31 and the route to our village and to Wimborne, purely for the benefit of Olympic visitors (now seemingly far fewer than expected, probably because of the rip-off culture). Is it surprising that lots of locals are thoroughly disenchanted with the whole Olympic business? My view is to stay away from Weymouth and anywhere else hosting Olympic events - I do not even want to watch on television - I am fed up of the whole business, and the sooner it is over the better!
you sound like a bundle of fun - you miserable so and so.
As for the A31 I live at Colehill so don't whinge to me at problems with the A31 - just get on with it and stop moaning.

Report this post »

harrythered says...
11:07am Sat 4 Aug 12

Perry_Winkle wrote:
So, does the Department of Transport have enough cash left out of the £5.7m spent on a hamburger at Canford Bottom to count the cars and tell us exactly how big a waste of money and local people's time it was? Or are they all sipping champagne in the hoity-toity tent?
It actually cost £9 Million - yes £3.3 million over budget.

Report this post »

West Howe Sean says...
2:43pm Sat 4 Aug 12

TheDistrict wrote:
The traders can only blame themselves. They had plenty of time to realise and organise what was ahead of them. I have been down to Weymouth and Portland to see the Sailing events, and have found that there are thousands and thousands of people arriving in Weymouth, but they have come to see the Sailing and Windsurfing etc, and more than likely not to bother with the normal offerings of Weymouth. On the other hand seeing some of the hype prices for food and drink, and accommodation, it is blatantly obvious that the majority of traders are only in it for the money. Bad planning on their side. Weymouth and Portland Council, the Olympic people have done a grand job on ensuring that access to Weymouth is easy, and enjoyable, and the days enjoyable to. Well done Weymouth.
.....it is blatantly obvious that the majority of traders are only in it for the money." says TheDistrict

What else would they be in it for? They have to make a living. Would you rather they went bust and ended up on the dole.

Let me guess, you are a bit of an unreconstructed leftie. I thought so.

Report this post »

davecook says...
9:00pm Sat 4 Aug 12

The Weymouth East sailing course is between White Nothe and Ringstead Bay. You can park up in the NT car park, take your thermos of tea, unlimited food in, and sit watching through binoculars in a nice folding chair. All you will see at Weymouth is tumbleweed rolling along the seafront as everybody was given the impression it would be full up, no space for anyone, and prices would be racked up to world record rip off prices.

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seuthsayer says...
9:00am Sun 5 Aug 12

...Shame Weymouth in the sun a week before the sailing kicked off was looking great....but people can only spend what they have and the whole experience wasn't worth what they expected to get from it...budget better then it won't fail...too late now guys!

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mpdor says...
12:53pm Sun 5 Aug 12

What is the betting that when the Olympics are over that the Politicians and local officials will decalre it a great success? they will use the wins by the athletes to disguise the failure , everything will be declared to have been a great victory for those that wanted to bring the olympics to weymouth, they will not bother about silly things such as did any trader lose money, were people caused problems, were the car parks empty the train seats etc no one will say we got it wrong, no one will say i take responsibility because in this day and age it is seen as wrong to accept you made a mistake, people in power cannot bring themselves to say its me im responsible, i would respect and man or women who did say i got it wrong, it is the denial factor i hate

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Dorset Logic says...
11:32am Mon 6 Aug 12

I can't actually get from Poole to Weymouth as the security peeps closed the road at merley so that people couldn't get on to it. I think it was something to do with suspected high numbers of visitors to the olympics, or such like.

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MattGillett says...
12:18pm Mon 6 Aug 12

I went with my wife and 3 kids to Weymouth to see the sailing. We thought the the beach festival was amazing, free kayaking in the bay, free sailing in the bay, lots of other sports and activities to do, and the two large screens showing other events as well as sailing, plus you could take in your own food and drink. Free for a family of 5 and you don't need an olympic ticket
Rail price was subsidized to £20 return for a family of 5 with an official Olympic ticket, which is cheaper, greener and a lot faster than driving.
The Olympics at Fort Northe were atmospheric but the kids did get a bit bored. You do actually get to see the boats, they race quite close. Bit overpriced at £92 for a family of 5 but it won't happen again in my lifetime.
We did go to the tower festival, but like most parents, pay per go is not convenient as costs can quickly spiral and we only allowed our kids two rides each. £17 for an hour entertainment per family of 5.
I did not see many over inflated prices and there was enough choice that you didn't have to pay more.
At £100 cheaper than a trip to Legoland I would say that's ok value for the day.
If money's tight go to the free stuff we think they're better than the events you pay for.

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oneshortleg says...
4:56pm Mon 6 Aug 12

I have been to somerset this weekend travelling from Bournemouth every 8 miles or so are the big roadside matrix trailers advertising the park and ride or delay/travel times they are also on all major roads around Dorset, Somerset, Devon, Hampshire etc They cost £200 a day each to hire!! Is it any wonder it has gone "t$ts up!

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