A NEW addition to Dorchester's business scene has scene a wine merchant moving into the town's former brewery site.

Morris and Banham Wine Merchant and Tasting Room has set up shop at Pope Street in Dorchester's £100million Brewery Square development.

Co-founder of the business is Mark Bahham, who will be well known to local wine enthusiasts after running Pamer's Wine Store in Bridport for 13 years.

He also runs Dorset Wine School.

Mark said: "Morrish and Banham is a new, innovative wine merchant offering a great range of handpicked wines and expert, friendly advice.

"Many of our wines are available to enjoy by the glass at our tasting bar.

"We are delighted to now be open in Brewery Square, excited for the future and looking forward to welcoming new customers."

Mark, who will be running the store with wife Caroline, said he was attracted by the up and coming nature of Brewery Square and the high quality of surrounding businesses.

However, he added that the site's former life as a working brewery also made it an appropriate place to set up the business.

He said: "There is a natural synergy for a wine merchant."

The Brewery Square Development Company said it was delighted to welcome the latest addition to the scheme.

Andrew Wadsworth, director of Waterhouse which is developing the site in partnership with Resolution Property, said: "Morrish and Banham is a great addition to the retail line up in Brewery Square. "Mark is a talented wine connoisseur with a well-established reputation in Dorset bringing a great selection of wines into Dorchester.

"We are sure they will be very popular and we wish them the very best with their terrific looking new shop."

Mr Wadsworth added that since the opening of Morrish and Banham was announced by Brewery Square on Facebook, it has proved one of the most popular arrivals yet on the social media site.

Brewery Square is an11.5-acre retail, restaurant, leisure and residential regeneration scheme on the site of the old Eldridge Pope Brewery.

The range of retail and leisure tenants includes Joules, Jones Bootmaker, Hobbs, Phase Eight, Gerry Weber, Stolen from Susie, Odeon, Cote Brasserie, Carluccio’s, Wagamama, Nando’s, Zizzi, Pizza Express, Vivo Lounge, Costa and Premier Inn. A number of local independent shops have also opened in the scheme. The next phase opening next year will see the arrival of 15 more shops.