Resort’s seafront shelters vandalised

WORK on completing a long awaited refurbishment of Weston-superMare’s seafront shelters will be delayed – after they were targeted by vandals.

Work on a restoration of the three seafront shelters started in the summer and was due to be completed by the end of the year.

But the revamp has been hit by a setback after being targeted by vandals who daubed them with paint.

The mess will now have to be cleared up before the work can restart.

The shelters, which had fallen into a state of disrepair over the years, were decommissioned in 2020 after they were deemed unsafe.

Plans to restore them had been put forward in 2019, but sadly work had to be put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The work will see the shelters, which date back to the late 19th century, restored to their former glory. Heritage experts in the town said they were ‘appalled’ at the vandalism.

North Somerset Heritage Champion Councillor John CrockfordHawley said: “I’m appalled by this act of wanton destruction. These shelters are a key part of our heritage and have offered shelter from Weston’s weather throughout the years.

“The renovation to bring them back to life was almost complete and to see the result of this vandalism so close to completion is incredibly frustrating.

“These shelters are part of Weston’s heritage and, despite this setback, will be fully restored and brought back to useful life.”