A 13-week archaeological excavation is set to begin this month at the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices - ahead of the building's demolition next spring.

The excavation will take place at the rear of the building at North Quay, giving experts a chance to uncover more of Weymouth’s fascinating harbourside history.

In line with planning conditions, the rear car park will close on Monday, September 11 for the duration of the work.

Following preparation works, the excavation will begin in full on Monday, September 18, and it is expected to take up to 13 weeks to complete.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Assets and Property, said: “The explorations that Context One and the local volunteers uncovered at North Quay in 2021, and across the Harbour at the MFA Weymouth Bowl site in 2022, were beyond anything we thought might be unearthed.

“Having the chance to peer beneath the tarmac once again, to a Weymouth hundreds of years old is a very exciting prospect. There is such a rich and unique history right under our feet that never fails to amaze.”

Dorset Council was granted planning permission to demolish the former council offices in July.

The first step in this process is to carry out an archaeological investigation on the site ahead of any further work.

North Quay is one of three key sites in Weymouth which have been earmarked for a share of a £19.5m investment boost following the council’s successful bid to the government’s Levelling Up Fund last year.

It is hoped the funding will kickstart economic growth in the town by investing in and regenerating what the council has described as 'Weymouth’s Waterfront Economy'.

The council has appointed Dorset-based archaeological experts Context One Heritage and Archaeology, to excavate the North Quay car park.

This is the same company which carried out preliminary archaeological investigations at North Quay in 2021 and at Weymouth Bowl in St Nicholas Street in 2022.

A small number of parking spaces will continue to be in use to the west and east of the building, until Monday, October 2 at which point the entire car park at North Quay will then remain closed until all groundwork and demolition is complete.

The car park is expected to reopen in Spring 2024, after the former council office building has been demolished with additional, temporary spaces on the footprint of the old building.