A £2.5 million quayside regeneration project that will create jobs and enhance Weymouth harbourside is progressing amid the coronavirus crisis.

Since planning permission was granted back in late 2019, work to transform the former Sharky’s play centre on Custom House Quay into a restaurant and apartments has been moving forward in earnest.

Work is ongoing to return the building, a former Victorian grain warehouse, to its former glory.

The scheme, which includes a top-quality restaurant, and five warehouse-style luxury apartments on the upper floors - including a penthouse – has adopted the building’s original name of Deheers Warehouse.

It has yet to be confirmed which restaurant will occupy the building but both national and local operators are among the interested parties, as well as businesses involving 'famous chefs'.

Deheers Warehouse is scheduled for completion this summer; however sensitive redevelopment projects are not without their challenges, not least during the current Covid-19 lockdown, says Mickey Jones of DJ Property which is developing the scheme.

His team has been working with RBstudio Architects, Godsell Arnold, Mildren Construction and Elcock Associates on the project.

Mr Jones said: “Construction work is ongoing for the time being but we continue to monitor the situation."

When asked about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the economy and whether this is likely to impact the scheme, Mr Jones said: "It is the best building on the harbourside and we are producing the best apartments with a great restaurant space below. This sort of quality product is not affected by the current market turmoil, as it is rare and unique."

He said a couple of weeks work had been lost due to the crisis but there had been no major issues and construction had not stopped.

"More and more of the construction industry suppliers are returning to work. It is now gathering pace, not slowing down," he said.

Mr Jones added: "I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone involved with the Deheers project for their efforts and resilience in such difficult times.

"From our home offices and further afield, we are working hard to ensure safeguarding best practices onsite adhere to the latest government guidelines.”

Local designer Mark Anders, who is working on the project, said: “It is a privilege to be involved with the Deheers project and to be given the opportunity to celebrate and protect such an important part of Weymouth’s heritage.

"I have always been drawn to this unassuming building, knowing how it had borne witness to so many significant periods in history, changing subtly over time and serving so many people, families and enterprises. "I feel proud that I am helping to write the next chapter of the Deheers Warehouse story, how it will be bringing a fresh new way of town living to the Weymouth quayside while benefitting the community, visitors and future generations.”

Restoration works of this nature often reveal the history of a building. During early external maintenance, Mildren Construction’s team uncovered the original hand painted ‘Hanney Bros Fish Merchants’ signage.

Mark Anders added: “Deheer, Cosens, Burdens, Templeman and Hanney are all names tied to the building’s past.

"There are so few examples of ghost signage left around the old harbour, so it is important that evidence of Weymouth’s colourful past like the Hanney Brothers sign writing is preserved to provide a record of days gone by."

Anyone wishing to find out more about this project can visit www.deheers.com