AN ICONIC site in Weymouth which has stood empty for years and fallen into disrepair has a new owner who plans to turn it into housing.

Brewers Quay, the former Victorian brewery-turned tourist attraction, has been sold to new developers, it has been confirmed.

Restoration and development work is currently being undertaken on the building, much of which has been left empty for years.

As previously reported, the site in Hope Square went on the market last year after its owners, property developer Versant Ltd, went into administration - having previously secured planning permission to redevelop the historic site into luxury homes.

Another developer, Blakeley Estates, announced in June last year that it would buy the Grade II listed building but that sale fell through.

It's still unknown who has bought the site, but Savills and their joint agents, Goadsbys, have confirmed that the new buyer has now completed the purchase and that it will 'pave the way for much needed housing' in the area.

Paul Spong, associate director in the South Coast Development team at Savills, and Laura Jacobs, director at Goadsby, said in a joint statement: “We are delighted to have brought the sale of this site to a successful conclusion on behalf of our client and, with it, pave the way for much needed housing in Weymouth.

"We’re really pleased that such an integral part of the town’s heritage will be restored and facilitate a number of different uses.”

Earlier this summer, We Are Weymouth (Weymouth BID) worked to approve the appearance of the site by adding colourful banners to the exterior.

Zach Williams, operations assistant for We Are Weymouth, said: “We are pleased to hear that the sale of Brewers Quay has been completed - the first of many steps in this exciting project. The developer has already started to make the building safe and has been supportive in enhancing the look and feel of the area whilst works take place.

"The iconic building holds many memories for locals and visitors alike. Its development will preserve Weymouth's history for generations to come and help to enrich the already popular appeal of the South Harbourside area."

Brewers Quay was previously an indoor shopping complex with around 20 speciality shops together with heritage and science exhibits, until it closed in 2010. It was also once home to the Timewalk attraction, a pub and bowling alley. In 2013, the site housed an antiques emporium. This closed in 2017 and much of the site has been left empty ever since.

Weymouth Museum, which remained on the site, has temporarily relocated to a pop-up shop in St Thomas Street, whilst work on the site remains ongoing.

Dorset Council have said that no formal planning applications have been brought forward by the new owners yet.