Sale of Brewers Quay in Weymouth falls through

Developer Blakesley Estates - which had been intending to purchase the site from liquidators after the previous owner Versant went bust - has pulled out of the sale.

Acting on behalf of the receivers, Savills and their joint agents, Goadsbys, have gone back to the market and say they have a number of interested parties keen to acquire the property and step into the shoes of the previous purchaser.

Negotiations for the sale of the red-brick former brewery in Hope Square had been ongoing since last June.

Planning permission had previously been secured for the site to be redeveloped into luxury homes by Versant before the developer fell into administration on February 22 2021

It would be a travesty to lose this important piece of Weymouth's history Picture: Ellie Maslin/Dorset Echo

Asset of Community Value plan refused

A nomination for the site to be registered as an asset of community value had been submitted to Dorset Council by Weymouth Area Development Trust, a resident-led community organisation, which would have given the community the right to buy the site - with a six month period to raise the funds.  

However, Dorset Council later announced the site did not meet the criteria and the plan for community ownership was abandoned.

However, a caveat of the planning permission that was granted to developer Versant, which still remains in place, was that part of the building must be retained for community use.

The community element would have been supported by a grant from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to help the new owner regenerate the decaying building.

But in a huge blow for Weymouth, Dorset Council's bid for a £17 million share of the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund was refused by the government in November.

The money would have funded a number of other major regeneration projects in the town - including the derelict former North Quay offices, harbour area, and the construction of a pedestrian bridge alongside the Swannery Bridge over Radipole Lake.

Had the sale of Brewers Quay gone ahead it would have also included development land at Brewery Reach and Newbury Gardens Car Park.

Brewers Reach - now an abandoned building site (Picture by The Secret Garden Cafe)

Brewery Reach is now an abandoned building site. It was formerly Newtons Road Car Park.

The news of the sale falling through comes amid widespread concern that an important asset in Weymouth's heritage is being left to rot and may soon be beyond salvation.

READ MORE: 

• "Too little, too late": Legal notice issued for urgent repair work at Brewers Quay
• Looking back: Readers' favourite memories of Brewers Quay
• 'Dorset Council can't pretend Brewers Quay isn't there'

Concerns have also been raised that recent storms have caused further damage to the listed building.

The site was once a jewel in Weymouth's crown but has been left to ruin

We asked whether Dorset Council is able to take any action to make the building safe while a new buyer is found.

'Local interest'

The authority says it is unable to comment further to avoid prejudicing the sale - however the council's portfolio holder with responsibility for the site, councillor Tony Ferrari, says the authority is aware of 'local interest.'

In a statement, councillor Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Property and Assets, said: “I can confirm that we are aware of some local interest in the purchase of Brewers Quay. Dorset Council’s only involvement will be once a sale has completed and we’ll manage any planning matters with the new owner, as the planning authority.”