by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A former building society in Dorchester town centre could become the town’s latest café/bar.
A planning application for the site, between the County Museum and Holy Trinity church in High West Street, has won favour with town councillors – but will still need Dorset Council permission to go ahead.
The planning application for a change of use for the ground floor of the listed building to a café/tapas bar comes from the owner of Fika in St Mary’s Street, Weymouth. It suggests that the new Dorchester business will bear the same name and a similar menu.
The planning application to Dorset Council says that the façade of the building will remain the same, with new signage, all the alterations taking place internally.
According to the business Fika is a Swedish word, roughly meaning taking a break, having a coffee, relaxing, and slowing down.
The website Visit Sweden adds a little more meaning saying : “Fika (fee-ka) is a Swedish cultural tradition, acting as both a noun and a verb, that means taking a deliberate break to enjoy coffee, tea, or another beverage, usually paired with something sweet like a cinnamon bun (kanelbullar). More than just a coffee break, it is a social ritual for connecting with colleagues, friends, or family to slow down and recharge during the day.”
If the new business is allowed it will follow a trend of cafes and bars opening on the northern side of High West Street with a new outlet in the front of the Corn Exchange building and another on the opposite side of the Museum to the proposed new Fika business.
Public comments on the proposed new use for the building, Dorset Council reference 2026/00422, remains open until March 24th.
