WORK to restore a historic Weymouth town centre building which has stood empty for a decade is moving forward as scaffolding goes up.
It was exclusively revealed earlier this month that the Rectory building on St Thomas Street, a former pub, is to be restored to its ‘former glory’ after being bought by a local property developer.
DJ Property has wasted no time in erecting scaffolding around the Georgian-era built property which has been derelict since 2013 following the abrupt closure of The Clipper.
The redevelopment project began with the submission of a listed building application to returning the exterior to how it once was and the interior will undergo extensive refurbishment.
A potential use for the building has also been cited, with a Jurassic Coast centre and museum being discussed as a possibility.
The Jurassic Coast Trust (JCT) has previously expressed its interest in bringing a museum to the town to increase the access and long-term security for fossils from the area.
As reported, the trust had revealed that construction works could get underway for an unknown site in the town within a two-year period and at an estimated cost of £5 million.
The trust has confirmed that the 18th century building is their desired location.
Business leaders have also praised the news that the building will be brought back to life and are eagerly waiting to find out what it will be put to use for.
The building was a centrepiece in the former Weymouth town centre redevelopment and used to be a popular pub/restaurant at the heart of the local night time economy.
It was last known as The Clipper which shut its doors in 2013 after the The Bramwell Pub group went into administration
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