SOMETHING special is brewing at a dilapidated old pub in Dorchester.

The Station pub is set to be completely revamped as brewing returns to the former Eldridge Pope brewery site with the arrival of the Brewhouse and Kitchen.

The facility run by the brewing pub chain is expected to bring in up to 20 jobs to the town as well as lead to the pub being given a major facelift.

A planning application has been submitted to West Dorset District Council for works to help transform the building.

Andrew Wadsworth, director of Waterhouse which is developing the £100million Brewery Square scheme in partnership with Resolution Property, said he was delighted that Brewhouse and Kitchen had decided to take on the pub.

He said: “Brewhouse and Kitchen is a very stylish brewing pub and they have got a fantastic operation in Portsmouth.

“This will be their second version of this new concept and we are extremely pleased that they have chosen Brewery Square in Dorchester.

Mr Wadsworth said Brewery Square is going to be responsible for refitting and restoring the pub building and landscaping works around it, significantly improving the exterior and interior appearance of the site, before Brewhouse and Kitchen come in to run the facility.

Plans for the pub propose a new single storey extension and two new entrance lobbies.

The proposals are intended to ‘increase the trade area’, ‘enhance the external space’ and ‘improve the internal layout for the benefit of both customers and staff’.

The design and access statement submitted with the planning application also states: “We feel that the extension of the existing premises is vital to the ongoing use of the site as a public house.

“If the pub were to remain closed, it would be harmful to the local community, Brewery Square development and to the character of the area.

“The existing trade area offers a characterless space with a low ceiling height.

“The proposed works will result in a much more varied range of internal spaces.

“The layout not only helps improve the function and usability of the space for both customers and staff, but also improves accessibility and means of escape from first floor level.”