Former pub to become Weymouth business hub

The former Portland Railway pub on the junction of Kings Street and Commercial Road is set to become a business support centre - creating 120 jobs and opportunities for the town centre.

The Weymouth Area Development Trust (WADT) has bought the former pub, which has been empty for years, and will renovate the building to support local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the town centre.

The centre will have a dedicated business mentor on site and will offer skills training, a programme for business apprenticeships as well as co-working spaces.

WADT CEO Chris Wilson inspecting the inside of the old Portland Railway pub (Image: Helen Moore)

Chris Wilson, CEO of WADT, said: "As small medium-sized enterprises contribute 82 per cent of Weymouth's economy, it is crucial we help them succeed.

“It is about what you would want to know when starting up a business.

“So, people can come in and have someone to learn from.”

It is part of the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project in partnership with Dorset Council and was funded through a £3.7 million government grant awarded in 2019.

As part of the project, a purpose-built business centre was planned on the peninsula, however, due to Covid, it was decided that finding a 'suitable' location in the town centre was more appropriate.

Mrs Wilson added: “We have been trying to find a suitable building in town and now we have bought the building we have 12-18 months to renovate it.

READ: Weymouth town centre set for '£66 million regeneration boost'

The former Portland Railway pub building on Kings Street (Image: Helen Moore)

“We aim to have the site operational by May 2025 as a Business Support Centre, providing guidance, mentoring, training and networking opportunities with space to meet and work - all to help them prosper.”

She continued: “It is about regenerating the town centre they have to be here all year round.

“For us it makes sense that that is where we concentrate, the small businesses need supporting, it is tough in coastal towns as it is very seasonal.

“It’s a real feeling we are hitting a tipping point in investment in the town.”

READ: Weymouth quayside regeneration works to begin 

An aerial shot of Weymouth Harbour (Image: Dorset Council)

Work began on the regeneration of Weymouth Harbour peninsula quayside on Monday, October 16, to create new facilities for fishing, charter and harbourside businesses and improve public spaces in this part of the harbour.

A new fish landing quay, a fuel pontoon and new compound areas for storing harbour and fishers’ materials - including an ice-making facility and refrigerated chilled catch store - will be created in the currently disused area of the harbour behind Weymouth Pavilion.

The new business centre will offer support to new businesses setting up in the regenerated peninsula as well as across the town centre.