by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Tapas and pilates will feature at a former Dorchester building society High West Street.
Dorset Council has approved the change for the building, adjacent to the County Museum, with Holy Trinity Church on the other side.
The planning proposal came from the owners of Fika in St Mary’s Street, Weymouth and suggests that the new Dorchester business will bear the same name and offer a similar menu.
The planning application to Dorset Council says that the façade of the building will remain largely unaltered, with new signage, the majority of the the changes taking place internally, including the provision of a pilates studio to the rear of the cafe – all on the ground floor, the upper floors of the building unaffected by the changes.
Opening hours have been listed as Monday to Thursday 8am to 5.30pm and Friday until 11pm; Saturday 8am to 11pm and Sundays and bank holidays 10am to 6pm.
Dorchester Town Council raised no objection to the proposal although the church and one resident said they believed the proposed hours to be excessive.
Said the resident, Mr John Morley : “I am also concerned that the owners may plan to apply for a liquor licence which will change the whole character of this part of the High Street, which is dominated by Holy Trinity Church, Dorset Museum, St Peter’s Church and the Corn Exchange. The High Street is evolving back to residential housing, and a late-night opening cafe / bar will be out of character for the area.”
