Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hospitality business and owner of Premier Inn, has secured planning permission from Dorset Council to build a new Premier Inn hotel in Dorchester Town Centre, the company’s second hotel in the town.
The approved development progresses the transformation of the vacant former Marks & Spencer store on South Street into a latest format 102-bedroom Premier Inn.
An economic impact assessment submitted as part of the planning application calculated that approximately 78,000 guests will stay at the South Street hotel once it settles into its market. Collectively these guests are anticipated to generate more than £4 million in visitor expenditure a year supporting established businesses and attractions in and around Dorchester.
Whitbread also expects to create around 30 permanent jobs at the new hotel, with recruitment focussed within Dorchester and the surrounding area, with many established jobs supported in the construction sector whilst the hotel is being built.
Louise Woodruff, Acquisitions Manager at Whitbread, commented:
“In Dorchester, we have worked hard as a team to design a hotel that is sympathetic to its surroundings and enhances the character of the area and I’m confident our second Premier Inn will be a valuable addition to the town, complementing our existing trading hotel at Brewery Square.
“As we mark this important milestone, I would like to thank the many individuals and organisations who supported us throughout the planning process. We had a very positive response from the local community since first launching our proposals in 2023, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped us get to this stage and backed our investment in the heart of the town.”
The company is intending to invest more than £11 million in the new hotel.
Dorchester Premier Inn – CGI – submitted scheme – May 2024.
Former M & S store in Dorchester. Photo: Steve Bulley
Former M & S store in Dorchester. Photo: Steve Bulley