OPINIONS are divided on proposals that would see a derelict shopping centre become a budget hotel.

The proposals would see the former Colwell Centre, on School Street, demolished and in its place a new hotel erected along with a ground floor restaurant and retail unit.

One nearby resident feared the plans would ‘bring clientele like hen/stag parties’ to the area and increase pressures on the police force.

The Colwell Centre opened in the 1980s and was Weymouth’s first ever indoor shopping centre but, since 2019, has been left unused.

Now a public consultation has closed into the latest proposals, with Dorset Council set to discuss whether to give developers the green light.

A number of representations have been made including from Councillor Jon Orrell, who said the site ‘has not worked’ as an indoor shopping centre.

He said: “It has been tried over the years and is currently a sorry state. It is quite clear that marginal shopping around town centres will see further contraction as retail habits change. Towns need to adapt. Weymouth has a strong tourist tradition so this use (as a hotel) may help the mix as some visitors may be attracted to a known brand.

“A well developed new building should be an improvement on the current  run down site. The lark of parking is noted but hopefully in years to come Weymouth might market itself as a low carbon option since people can travel here by two train networks, as they did in Victorian times.”

The proposals have been met with several objections, however, with one business owner along the Esplanade saying it would be a ‘waste’ to turn the site into a hotel.

She said: “As a resident and business owner in the town, I object to a hotel as we have many accommodation providers already in Weymouth, our town is short of all weather attractions and affordable homes for young locals wanting to get on the property ladder. 

“I feel this location is ideal for either and will bring in much needed income for the town all year round. To allow this site to become yet another hotel in a small town where there are already plenty of various accommodation providers would be a waste.”

Meanwhile a resident on Lennox Street said the redevelopment was “an ideal opportunity” to be turned into affordable housing.

They added: “An 83-bedroom cheap hotel, will bring clientele like stag/hen parties (and put) pressure on a stretched police force.”

The plans will be now heard by councillors, who will decide whether to approve the plans for the 83-bedroom hotel.