Bar applies to keep canopies after 'devastating' crash

Two pedestrians were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a car crashed into an outdoor seating area in June

A seafront cocktail bar where a car crash injured two pedestrians is seeking planning permission for outside canopies and a seating area.

The Nook in Weymouth has submitted an application to Dorset Council to keep its canopies on the esplanade.

It comes after two people sustained non-life-threatening injuries when a saloon car mounted the pavement and collided with The Nook's outdoor seating area on 28 June.

The impact of the crash brought much of the structure down and resulted in the seafront being sealed off and the beach cleared to allow an air ambulance to land.

A Dorset Police spokesperson confirmed enquiries had been carried out after the incident and no arrests have been made.

The planning application states the canopies would "fit in with its surroundings"

The canopies were originally put up in either September 2021 or September 2022 without consent, according to Fisher Design Studio - which is acting as the planning agent for the owners of the premises.

The studio argues the canopies, similar to others in the area, will have a "positive effect" on the conservation area and not detract from the main bar building, which was first listed in 1974.

The application said: "Our proposals do not bare any negative impact on the Weymouth town centre conservation area or the characteristics of it.

"The proposed canopies will fit in with its surroundings through the consideration of its form and appearance, due to other adjacent listed buildings having canopies as well, resulting in only a positive impact on the street scape and overall conservation area."

The agent also explained the larger of the two canopies is retractable, so can be rolled back towards the main building.

They added: "Both the canopies' supports are in black metal, so they are in cohesion with each other. The metal balustrade and posts which surround the canopies are finished in a rusted effect metal which is within keeping of the style of the building and business."

Members of the public are now able to comment on the application, which is open until 24 April.