Lyme Regis Town Council has announced the resignation of its town clerk, citing a targeted campaign of intimidation and hostility from a local business group.
The clerk's departure is set for the end of December 2026, according to the council.
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Municipal officials and staff members were subjected to harassment both during meetings and in their personal time, the council said in a statement.
"Councillors and staff are being subjected to harassment in their personal time and outside of official communication channels," the council stated.
Friends and family members have also been targeted, the council added, calling the behavior unacceptable.
The council pointed to escalating aggression during an annual assembly on April 24 and a full council meeting on May 13 as key incidents.
As a result, the public forum segment has been suspended from all future council sessions.
"Heckling, shouting, jeering and pointing fingers at meetings is becoming increasingly aggressive and will no longer be tolerated," the council said.
The Cobb Traders business group, which represents local merchants, rejected the council's characterization of the interactions.
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"Criticism and scrutiny of public decision-making do not amount to abuse or bullying; they are part of living in a free and democratic society," the group said in a statement.
The traders encouraged the public to listen to audio recordings of recent meetings to judge for themselves.
"Our points have been made passionately, but always in the public interest," the group added.
Tourism Appeal Remains Strong
Lyme Regis, often called the 'Pearl of Dorset,' is a major tourism hub on the Jurassic Coast.
Gemma Matthews, owner of Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages, described the town as a walkable seaside destination that is often overlooked in favor of larger spots like Brighton or Bath.
"In Lyme, we’re spoilt by our picturesque beaches, fascinating museums, such as the Dinosaurland Fossil Museum, and local tourist attractions like The Town Mill, all located within a five-minute walk of each other," Matthews said.
She highlighted that pedestrian access allows visitors to discover unique coastal features, such as the Ammonite pavement, which can only be accessed on foot during low tide.
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"It’s experiences like this that make walkable destinations so special, which you’d completely miss if you were driving," Matthews added.
