'Run-down' former pub to become business units

Melcombe House, in King Street in Weymouth, was described as being in "a poor state of repair"

A run-down building in Weymouth town centre previously used as a hostel and a pub will be converted into small business units and a café.

Melcombe House, in King Street, and an adjoining Commercial Road property have been described as being in "a poor state of repair".

A planning application, now approved by Dorset Council, was submitted by the Weymouth Area Development Trust, a community-led not for profit organisation.

It proposes offices and communal workspaces on all floors with shower rooms, storage, kitchen areas and meeting rooms.

The plans also include re-opening a blocked doorway on corner of the building to provide access to a café area.

Six cycle spaces will be added inside along with a lift for wheelchair access and a bin store area in a small courtyard.

The trust said some spaces would be available on an hourly basis, with fast internet connections suitable for "small high tech based industries and digital creatives".

It said experts would also be available on-site to mentor start-up business and offer general support and advice.

The application said: "This former hostel has been vacant for some time and the building is in a poor state of repair.

"The change of use now proposed will provide a viable use, giving vitality to the area and preventing the current building continuing to decline."

Ward councillor Jon Orrell said he was "strongly supportive of the whole development".

"It will bring a prominent building back into productive use," he added.

He views were also echoed by Weymouth Town Council in its comments on the plans.