A major archaeological dig has now entered its third week, closing the last remaining car park spaces at the former Weymouth and Portland Borough Council offices.

The dig, taking place at the rear of the building at North Quay, has seen the main car park closed since September 11, but now the two smaller car parks, to the east and west, have been closed.

As of Monday, October 2, the entire site is now closed and will not reopen until the excavation and subsequent demolition of the former council building has taken place.

The demolition will take place in the spring of 2024 with a temporary car park expected to open shortly afterwards on the footprint of the old council building.

Dorset Council received planning permission in July to demolish the building and the excavation is the first step in the process.

The site has been earmarked for a share of a £19.5 million investment as part of Dorset Council’s successful bid for funding from the government's Levelling Up Fund last year.

Context One Heritage and Archaeology have been given control of the dig and are being helped by a team of local volunteers which will take 13 weeks to complete.

The Dorset-based firm also carried out preliminary archaeological investigations at North Quay in 2021 and at Weymouth Bowl in St Nicholas Street in 2022.