ACTION has been called for to stop two of Dorchester’s ‘iconic’ buildings from falling further into disrepair.

Cllr Stella Jones is asking for the district council to step in an use its powers to protect both the King’s Arms, a former coaching inn, and Judge Jeffreys, which was last used as a pizza restaurant.

Both High Street buildings are empty, and according to Cllr Jones, beginning to suffer from the effects of the weather and lack of maintenance.

“They are deteriorating and falling to pieces. The district council has a duty to look after them and I propose we write and ask them to do it,” she told a meeting of the town council.

Both properties have permission for conversion works – the King’s Arms as a pub-restaurant and Judge Jeffreys to a Turkish restaurant.

*The Echo reported earlier in the autumn how residents were given an insight into plans for the King's Arms pub at a heritage open day.

The plans were displayed on banners by the Stay Original Company which is leading the pub’s refurbishment.

The plans read: “There has been an inn on the King's Arms site since the mid-16th century and the building that we see now dates from a major redevelopment in the early 19th century.

“It’s an important piece of Dorchester’s rich history and the grade II coaching inn is famous for featuring in Thomas Hardy’s novels and welcoming guests as diverse as Queen Victoria and The Rolling Stones.

“Stay Original Company are shortly about to begin the refurbishment of this celebrated building, reopening next year to provide a 120-cover bar and restaurant with 32 rooms.

“The interior will be designed to reflect the character history and style of this exceptional building, retaining many of the original features and enhancing its beauty with soft tones and elegant furnishings."