Chickerell's Granby Industrial Estate will be see a big transformation in the next year.

It is hoped that by summer 2018 there will be not one or two new businesses on the estate, but six.

Mickey Jones chief executive of DJ Property is investing millions of pounds into the area.

Earlier this year DJ Property submitted a planning application to West Dorset District Council seeking permission to convert the existing redundant office space at Leanne House on Avon Close into a large gymnasium and office space.

The application has recently been granted and now building work it set to commence.

Mickey said he is hoping to have the gym open in 2018 but said it is a "complicated build".

He said: "The gym will have some very specialised air conditions and equipment. All the equipment is coming from America.

"It will take as long as it takes - I am happy to take a few months longer to make sure I get it right."

As reported, the former site of Universal Engineering is set to be given a new lease of life and ring hundreds of jobs and investment to the area.

Mickey said the building was in a "state of disrepair" and had become overgrown with foliage.

Work is now underway to refurbish three very large buildings on the site.

Mickey is also hopefully for the future of the BT depot site next to the former site of Universal Engineering, although nothing has yet been agreed.

Residents and businessmen and women in the area also have a new supermarket to look forward to.

Mickey said construction is on schedule and Aldi will be opening in September.

Following the opening of Aldi, Mickey said there is definitely going to be two drive-through facilities.

Mickey has also had strong interest for the final plot at Link Park. He said an application will soon be submitted for a large depot for a builders merchant to be placed there.

Mickey said: "The occupancy is really high on the Granby, there are no empty units with no future.

"It's going to be a busy year but I am hopefully that most of these projects will be completed throughout 2018.

"Summer 2018 will see a very different Granby."