It's the beginning of the end for Weymouth's eyesore North Quay block as demolition looms.

Workmen have been seen inside the former borough council HQ stripping out the interior ahead of the building being knocked down.

It's been a long time coming for the site which has stood derelict since 2017.

Dorset Council received planning permission in July to demolish the building and an excavation of the site, which was the first step in the process, has now come to an end.

The council said the project remains on schedule and the exterior demolition will start the week before Christmas. However this appears slightly at odds with a timetable for works published at the end of October which said the main building demolition would begin next week.

The council didn't reply to an Echo request for comment on this issue.

What is for certain though is that the building - opened by Princess Anne in 1971 - is coming down. And with clear progress underway at the site the long-awaited demolition might just be Weymouth's best ever Christmas present.

Dorset Echo: Workers are in the process of stripping the inside of the building Workers are in the process of stripping the inside of the building (Image: Martin Lea)

READ: Weymouth's residents welcome North Quay demolition

Built in the 1960s and once home to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, various plans have been put forward over the years to redevelop the site.

Once the site is cleared in the new year a temporary car park is expected to open shortly afterwards. It is hoped the demolition will enable a comprehensive redevelopment scheme to then be progressed.

Dorset Council said in an update this week: “Keeping nicely to schedule, our contractors Heidelberg Materials are part way through stripping out the interior of the former council offices at North Quay and the exterior demolition is due to begin the week before Christmas - all being well.

“There will be no wrecking ball, the exterior will be demolished methodically, floor by floor, and pushed inwards by mechanical grabbers to keep dust and rubble to a minimum.

“Context One Heritage & Archaeology and volunteers from DIG the Street are also on target to wrap up their excavation work before they switch to the task of cleaning and recording their finds.”

Dorset Echo: Cannonballs and a slipper from the 1950s were among the artefacts foundCannonballs and a slipper from the 1950s were among the artefacts found (Image: Newsquest)

The dig has found several artefacts and structures at the site including an 18th century pub damaged during World War II, medieval pottery, a cannonball dating back to the Civil War, and a slipper from the 1950s.

Residents were also invited to view the finds which were displayed at an open day which gave people an insight into Weymouth’s history.

As previously reported by the Echo though, the council had stated that the archaeological dig was set to end on November 15.

However, due to poor weather conditions it was granted an extra two weeks and was to complete at the end of November.

READ: North Quay demolition on schedule despite dig extension

Dorset Echo: Members of the public came to discover what the dig team had found at the open day.Members of the public came to discover what the dig team had found at the open day. (Image: Alfie Lumb)

 

Dorset Echo: The building has been derelict since 2017 and will finally be torn down this monthThe building has been derelict since 2017 and will finally be torn down this month (Image: Newsquest)

Weymouth town mayor, Kate Wheller is happy that it is on schedule, but reiterated her disappointment an alternative use for the building wasn't found earlier.

She said: "I think it is a great shame that it couldn't be repurposed, but now the demolition is taking place I am pleased this is progressing as quickly as possible."

The land has been earmarked for a share of a £19.5 million investment from the government’s levelling up fund - to be split across three sites in the town.