by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A new entertainment venue could be opening in Dorchester – also offering a micro- brewery, café, and space for activities such as yoga and crafts.
Town councillors have backed the project at the former military hospital on the town’s Marabout industrial estate which could create twenty jobs.
The site, which has been vacant for 25 years, had previously been granted planning consent for flats, a move which town councillors objected to, describing in as an ‘unsuitable’ location for homes.
Plans being prepared for the site suggest that it could provide 50-70 ‘covers’ for food, initially only at weekends and some evenings, but could be expanded to daily use in time.
Two performance areas are proposed in the building on two levels, one with a stage, with a micro-brewery on the ground floor along with a reception/ticket office. The brewing equipment is to come from the town’s Copper Street Brewery.
Externally the building, which is listed, will remain much as it is, although secondary glazing is likely be fitted internally with some re-configuration on the existing layout and the addition of sound proofing.
Town councillors have welcomed the proposals although some have expressed concerns that the 13 parking spaces might not be adequate and that more loos were likely to be needed if it attracts the numbers it hopes to.
“There’s only one ladies toilet on each floor. That’s nowhere near enough for so many people,” said Cllr Molly Rennie, while Cllr Sue Biles, suggested the present car park provision would not be enough for popular events, and walking to and from the site could be difficult with no pavements and poor lighting on some routes.
Planning and environment committee chair Cllr Ralph Ricardo welcomed the plans: “We didn’t like the housing proposal and I’ve not seen anyone prepared to create a music venue in the town for 30 years,” he said.
Cllr Rory Major also liked the plans and said public parking, at Top o’ Town, was not far away should extra spaces be needed: “It’s a good use of the building and will be welcomed by a lot of people in Dorchester,” he said.
The full details of the application, P/FUL/2025/06781 , is currently open for public comment on the Dorset Council website.
