I emailed Ian Locke on the basis that as it was tourism that would be most affected he may apply extra pressure. I also remebered that in the early days of this discussion he was at least sympathetic. Here is the reply -

Dear Mr Polshaw

In reply to your email I would make the following points:
1. The Cove House Inn has a Public Entertainment Licence granted by the Council and can hold folk sessions without difficulty.
2. There is probably more live music in pubs in Weymouth and Portland than anywhere else of comparable size.
3. The issues as to public safety and nuisance suffered by neighbours apply whatever the source of music. We have currently an application from the Cove House Inn to extend hours for music outside and we have 4 or 5 objections from neighbours. They have a legitimate point of view too.
4. Any affect on tourism is not being caused by actions of the Council which have been legally and reasonably correct but by misinformation as to what the real situation is.
5. Noone has yet been able to point to a local authority which takes a different view. All the ones we have consulted take a similar line to us.

Regards

Ian Locke

Would anyone care to refute any of Mr Lockes comments? If the Cove can have music sessions whenever they want what exactly is the issue? If it is neighbours rasing objections to extending the sessions outside don't they, as Mr Locke points out, have 'a legitimate point of view too'?

Not siding with the council at all but is there some 'mis-information' here? Can someone put the record straight?

Cheers

Dave the Gnome