Yeovil’s William Dampier pub is set to gain a new outdoor seating area after plans were approved by Somerset Council. The pub, which is operated by JD Wetherspoons PLC, is located on the corner of Central Street and Middle Street in the town center. The new seating area will be approximately 185 square meters and will feature two pergolas and a new fire escape.Yeovil’s William Dampier pub is set to gain a new outdoor seating area after plans were approved by Somerset Council. The pub, which is operated by JD Wetherspoons PLC, is located on the corner of Central Street and Middle Street in the town center. The new seating area will be approximately 185 square meters and will feature two pergolas and a new fire escape. The pub takes its name from the English explorer, naturalist, and pirate of the same name, who was born in East Coker and was the first Englishman to explore parts of Australia. The demand for beer gardens and other forms of outdoor seating has increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many of these spaces becoming vital to the viability of the catering sector. The area around Middle Street has seen numerous shops close in recent years, but the council is planning a regeneration program that could deliver new homes and commercial space at the foot of the street. The council approved the plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its South Planning Committee.
A popular Yeovil town center pub is set to get a new outdoor seating area after plans were approved. JD Wetherspoons PLC operates the William Dampier pub on the corner of Central Street and Middle Street, at the bottom end of Yeovil town centre.
The company applied at the end of March to create outdoor seating areas for its customers, removing part of the service area adjacent to the city’s bus station and the vacant Glovers Walk shopping centre. Somerset Council has now given these plans the green light and the new area is expected to be operational within months.
The William Dampier takes its name from the English explorer, naturalist and pirate of the same name, who was born in East Coker and was the first Englishman to explore parts of Australia (as well as the first person to circumnavigate the world three times). The pub’s new outdoor area will be approximately 185 square meters, bordered by a concrete wall and featuring two pergolas and a new fire escape.
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The company received approval for a similar facility in November 2019, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, these changes were never implemented. A spokesperson for Nineteen47 (which represents the developer) said: “Demand for beer gardens and other forms of outdoor seating has increased exponentially, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic, with many of these spaces becoming vital to the viability of the catering sector, while restrictions were placed on indoor capacity.
“Since then, many have retained a preference for outdoor seating, especially during the sunnier months. The application location faces south and west and will therefore benefit from extended periods of sunlight during the cafe’s trading hours.
“This will introduce a new offering to the cafe and support the continued viability of a business that remains operational despite the recognizable problems of other businesses in the area.” The area around Middle Street has seen numerous shops close in recent years, in addition to the council’s ongoing Yeovil Refresh programme, which is making improvements to the appearance of the town centre.
The council confirmed in mid-May that it intended to purchase Glovers Walk and the bus station site to advance a new regeneration programme, which could deliver new homes and commercial space at the foot of Middle Street. Neither Avon and Somerset Constabulary nor Yeovil Town Council objected to JD Wetherspoons’ plans – although the latter requested the facility be closed after 9pm to avoid noise pollution for local residents.
Somerset Council approved the plans through the delegated powers of its planning officers, rather than a public decision by its South Planning Committee (which deals with major applications in the former South Somerset area).
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
Mickey Green, the council’s executive director for climate and place, said: “The proposal represents an acceptable change to the use of a small part of the existing service area and would provide permanent external seating for this renowned café located in the town center of Yeovil.
“It is not considered to be such that it would harm the vitality and viability of the town centre. The proposal would not harm the character and appearance of the area; and would not adversely affect residential facilities or road safety.”
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