Swim raft return hopes suffer setback

Hopes of bringing back two popular swimming rafts have suffered a setback after talks failed to find a solution.

The rafts were removed from the sea off Greenhill Beach by Weymouth Town Council in 2025 after it said they could not be insured because they were outside the operating zones of lifeguards.

Jurassic Rocks Cafe owner Iain Turnbull had offered to take on the insurance in a bid to return the rafts.

However, in a joint statement, Turnbull and the council said discussions had not identified a way forward that would reduce the personal risk to the business.

They also said the cafe's insurer had withdrawn an earlier offer of cover following further consultation.

The statement said: "Following lengthy discussions on the swimming rafts, the owner of the Jurassic Rocks Cafe and Weymouth Town Council have unfortunately to report that a way forward was not found at their recent meeting that reduces the personal risk to the cafe of taking on the rafts.

"The insurance company for Jurassic Rocks has also confirmed it has withdrawn its offer of cover after further consultation."

The statement added that the council would continue to work to find a solution to the risks associated with the rafts, or look at alternative water-based attractions for the area.

Turnbull said it was "sad for Greenhill Beach" but thanked people for their support and wished everyone "a great summer of sun and swimming".

Campaigners argued the structures had been a feature of Greenhill Beach for more than 70 years.

Turnbull previously told the BBC their removal had contributed to a drop in trade of between £15,000 and £20,000 during August.

More than 4,700 people signed an online petition calling for the rafts to be reinstated.