Developers of Brewers Quay site speak out amid concerns for its future

Frank Mountain of Versant Developments has spoken out to reinforce his firm’s commitment to redeveloping historic Brewers Quay after concerns were raised about the future of the site – a Grade II listed building.

Various plans have been proposed since 2010 but never progressed with the town wondering whether anything would happen there.

Versant purchased it in 2016 and submitted its own plans. While work has commenced on a linked residential development behind the site work at the Brewers Quay building stalled.

Versant then submitted revised plans for Brewers Quay in the summer with a view to converting the existing main brewers and coopers buildings to provide 47 residential units, a museum and wet weather/exhibition and cultural experience space along with three retail units.

Architects drawing of the front elevation of the Brewers Quay building. Picture: Versant Developments

In comparison to previous plans, Versant proposes layout changes to the museum and to the retail/restaurant units.

These proposals will be considered by borough council planners in due course.

However concerns have been raised by Weymouth Museum, which has a home at Brewers Quay, that it could be faced with ‘significant difficulties’ if the redevelopment doesn’t progress soon.

Secretary Graham Perry said: “There is some uncertainty about the future development of Brewers Quay and should that not go ahead we will be faced with significant difficulties. We are in the process of applying for lottery funds for the new museum but that will not be able to proceed unless we have secured premises.

“We must therefore remain optimistic that the development proceeds quickly. Should that not happen it will be very difficult for the museum to continue unless we can find an alternative home.”

Mr Perry added: “Conditions in the Brewers Quay building continue to deteriorate and that creates problems in attracting volunteers and in properly preserving the collection.”

The museum is looking for new trustees of which there are currently seven.

But Mr Mountain says Versant is committed to Brewers Quay.

He said: “There’s always lots and lots of talk but it is not always helpful. We are committed to the scheme and 100 per cent committed to Weymouth. We just want to get the building developed.

He said Versant had met with representatives from the museum on October 1 and everyone had seemed “very happy”. A programme of works was outlined at the meeting.

According to Mr Mountain, the firm has spent a lot of money moving the museum from the old space to its temporary space and work had already been done on the internal parts of the building.

He explained there had been delays in progressing the scheme due to issues with discharging planning conditions and work had been started as soon as possible, and added it would be a maximum of 18 months before the museum was provided with a permanent space.

“We haven’t invested money into it [Brewers Quay] to just see it sit there. Property development is no different from owning a corner shop, but your stock takes a lot longer to shift and we have to put work in. It’s in our best interest to not have the money sitting there dead,” Mr Mountain said.

Councillor's concerns

Borough councillor and museum supporter Cllr James Farquharson shares the museum’s concerns and said: “The museum ‘s future has always been uncertain because it has no permanent premises meaning it’s very difficult to plan for the future because its subject to someone else’s needs.”

He said if Brewers Quay redevelopment doesn’t go ahead, and the museum fails, the responsibility of the museum’s treasures could fall to the council.

Cllr Farquharson added: “The key thing from the council’s perspective is, if the museum fails next year and gives up, there’s tonnes of very important fragile artefacts which would return to the council. I don’t think it has a plan in place for this and it will be another issue for the council.

“King George III’s bathing machine is flat packed in the museum’s collection – that’s just a fraction of what they have in storage and puts into perspective the scope of the issue the council will have if the museum doesn’t find permanent premises.”

Council tourism and culture briefholder Cllr Richard Kosior said: “We have an excellent working relationship with the museum trustees and have set aside funding to help with their planned bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

“Versant has said it is committed to their planned development of Brewers Quay, including establishing a new museum. A planning application was submitted in July which is currently under consideration.

“We are aware of the need to keep the collection in an appropriate environment and will continue to work with the trustees to ensure that this continues.”