THE TRADITION of brewing is returning to Dorchester, just a hop from Brewery Square.

The Brewhouse and Kitchen, which has brought 20 new jobs to the county town, is set to officially open its doors on Monday.

The opening comes after a complete renovation and refurbishment of the old Station pub in Weymouth Avenue with the new venture boasting a micro-brewery with its own range of cask and keg ales served on the premises or to take away.

Director of Brewhouse and Kitchen Simon Bunn said that the team had been pulling out all the stops to get the venue ready for the opening after what had proved a major refurbishment job.

He said he was ‘proud’ of the transformation that had been achieved and confident that the pub would fit in well with what Dorchester had to offer.

Simon said: “We are absolutely delighted to come to Dorchester and we think it is the perfect town for us.”

He added that Dorchester was clearly a town on the up and the support offered by the Dorchester Bid and developments such as Brewery Square, as well as major high street names such as Marks and Spencer and Waitrose agreeing to new anchor stores in the town, there was clearly a growing sense of confidence.

Simon said that, while he expected around 40 to 50 per cent of sales to be on food, he was pleased to be able to offer something different to what was already available at Brewery Square with people able to enjoy a relaxing coffee, alcoholic or soft drink at the bar, in its snug seating or airy conservatory.

The micro-brewery is the cornerstone of the venue and people can book brewing experience day while punters will also be able to sample ten cask ales and four keg beers made on the premises.

Simon said a significant amount of investment had been put into the pub, which will seat around 150 people inside and the same again outside, and he was pleased to be able to be part of the vibrant economy of Dorchester and offering employment in the town.

He said: “I’m really proud of what we have achieved here with a pub that was pretty run down, ramshackled and unloved.”

Mike Reed, chairman of Dorchester BID said the Brewhouse and Kitchen would fit in well with the area and wished it all the best.

He said: “I’m a big fan of real ales.

“It’s nice to see that brewing tradition coming back to the site.

“I will certainly be popping in for a pint this week.

“Nobody likes to see an empty business.

“It’s nice to see them refreshed, rejuvenated and another business for the town is great.”

He added: “It’s what it needed: a micro-brewery. I think that’s perfect.”