RIDECKULOUS
Council bans beach deck chairs.. as they could be WEAPONS
mortified by the stupidity of the excuse
A SEASIDE council has missed out on £200,000 in income after deciding not to rent out its deckchairs in case they are used to attack staff.
The ban in Bournemouth is blamed on anti-social behaviour and the chairs potentially being used as weapons.
For over a century, beachgoers have hired the 3,500 yellow and blue canvas chairs which are now locked away.
Lib Dem councillor Vikki Slade said:
“I asked about the absence of deckchairs and sun loungers and expected the reasoning to be Covid.
“They said it was because they had anti-social behaviour last year and they were concerned about the safety of staff and possibility of chairs being used as weapons. I was mortified by the stupidity of the excuse – I thought they were joking or someone had made a mistake.
“They said they had adjusted the budget by £200,000 – it’s the most wasteful, lazy, and ridiculous excuse.”
Hundreds of thousands of tourists swamped the Dorset town last summer and several fights broke out on the promenade.
Council bosses feared the chairs could be used in fights, like Mods and Rockers in the 60s.
But Ms Slade added: “Even if that were the case, you don’t just get rid of the chairs, you increase security.” Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council said: “The wellbeing and safety of our staff, residents and visitors was a priority in this decision.”
It is understood the deckchairs and sun loungers will return next year.
VIKKI SLADE
LIB DEM COUNCILLOR