21st July 2010

DORCHESTER: Marquee loss could be detrimental to football club

by Paul Crompton

ANOTHER nail is being driven into the financial coffin of Dorchester Town Football Club by councillors refusing to back a planning application.

The club’s chairman has admitted the future is uncertain after the town’s Planning and Environment Committee strongly rejected a renewal application for Prince’s Marquee.

The Dorchester Town Supporters’ Trust board are now urging West Dorset District Council to get behind the application for the benefit of the town when it comes before them later this year.

The town council recommend refusal because they were strongly of the opinion the proposal was unacceptable to local residents, and the noise level from the structure was intrusive.

Chairman of DFC Shaun Hearn said: “The previous owners of the club put the marquee up, and I’ve only been at the club since last September but I can tell you the club needs the revenue the marquee brings in.

“Personally I wonder if the football club can continue to exist without the marquee because it is a good source of revenue.”

The marquee is used for a variety of functions ranging from matchday use, weddings and a large number of charity fundraising events and generates much needed employment within the town.

Founded in 1880 DTFC has played an important role in the community by providing the opportunity for fans to watch non league football in a family friendly environment.

Communications Officer Dan Fuge said on behalf of DTSTB: “[the marquee] further supports the vitality and economic viability of the town through the contracts it places with local businesses and the various purchases of visiting fans.

“Since its introduction, the Prince’s Marquee has provided supporters and the wider community with an asset which has benefited the club with additional income and has also helped to raise the profile and enhance the reputation of the football club.

“This has helped to sustain the club through an increasingly difficult economic climate and the retention of the marquee would continue to provide supporters and the community with a valued community based facility as well as support the financial viability of the football club itself.”

Since the initial planning application was approved, the club has introduced increased soundproofing and installed an electronic sound restrictor in a bid to deal with any problems of noise for local residents.

Mr Fuge said he would like to remind planners of the consequences of rejecting the planning application, “Namely the severe detriment to both the football club and the community as a whole.”

DORCHESTER: Marquee loss could be detrimental to football club

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