Dorchester Corn Exchange set for improvements
The work's expected to take five months to complete
Five months of works are planned for improvements to Dorchester’s Corn Exchange building.
The car park at the rear of the building is likely to be closed for much of the time as the next phase of redevelopment progresses.
Changes are to be made to the front of the building, off High East Street, to improve the entrance area.
The project will include re-positioning toilets and the bar and creating a new café/bar area in the area known as The Magistrates’ Room to the right of the main entrance and a community space opposite it which could be put to a variety of uses.
A new reception area will also be created, accessible from both the front door on High East Street and the side door on North Square.
Works already undertaken include extensive works to the roof and re-purposing of the kitchen area to the rear of the stage, together with new seating, lighting and sound systems.
Dorchester Town Council, which owns the building, say that for up to 24 weeks parking to the rear of the building, off North Square, will be restricted with the contractors using the area as a compound.
The work is expected to start by the end of August with the contract, subject to the final details being agreed, awarded to Greendale Construction Ltd, based in Poole.
Dorchester Town Council had been hoping to win a grant from the Shared Prosperity Fund to meet some of the costs of the project, but was not successful, and as a result has had to take £209,000 from the council’s Corporate Projects Reserve to make up the difference.
Extra grants towards the, undisclosed, contract cost, may be applied for by Dorchester Arts who now manage the building.
When planning consent was approved architects Crickmay Stark, described the front of the building as “tired” and no longer fulfilling the needs and requirements of Dorchester Arts.
“The proposals intend to refurbish this part of the building, to make better use of it and bring life back to this part of the building to make it a welcoming community asset,” said the firm in a statement to Dorset Council.
Dorchester Arts said they hoped the changes will make the building more attractive and welcoming, increasing the number of people using it:
“The position of the toilets on the corner opposite the Town Pump and Cornhill means that the view of the building from these busy areas is unattractive and can give the impression that the building is closed.
"An unwelcoming and cold impression is reinforced on entering the building via the main doors, as the hallway is dark and narrow, making it hard to create a suitably welcoming ambience into what should be one of the town’s most open and hospitable buildings.”