Weymouth hoteliers split over attractions of prison ship

Hoteliers in Weymouth, Dorset, have rejected Government claims that the much-publicised mooring of a prison ship in neighbouring Portland Harbour will bring new jobs and prosperity to the area.

"I am sure that we will get some people coming down here to take a look, but that will peter out eventually. It will do the tourist industry more harm than good," said Wilf Hampshire, president of the Weymouth Hoteliers & Caterers Association.

The association has been lobbying members of Weymouth & Portland Borough Council's planning committee, who are due to meet with Department of the Environment officials today, to voice their objections to the ship, which will house 480 prisoners.

"The reasons for objection relate to the detrimental impact upon the tourism industry, the visual impact, and the fact that it would prejudice the council's policy for regeneration of the former Portland naval base by creating a negative image for the port, harbour and area as a whole," reads a statement to be presented by the planning committee at the meeting.

But not all local businesses are opposed to the ship. Some believe it may become a major tourist attraction - the UK's equivalent of San Francisco's prison island, Alcatraz.

"If we market it as Alcatraz in the UK then I think it will bring in the tourists," said Barbara Dubben, co-owner of the Bay Lodge hotel.