STRENGTHENING works are to be carried out inside an historic Dorchester town centre building which has been damaged by beetles.

The listed building, in South Street, has been closed above first floor level after the damage was discovered.

The property, which has a shoe shop on the ground floor, is owned by a Dorset charity of William Williams.

Dating back to 1621, the charity offers help to resident and organisations which give assistance to others in the Blandford Forum, Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury areas.

It was set up in the name of the Blandford merchant with a sum of £3,000 from his will which at the time produced an annual income of £140 to be spent on poor boys from the three towns who were fatherless and needed clothing for their apprenticeships to fishermen or masters of ships and boats.

Dorset Council has agreed an application to carry out timber repairs and strengthening works to the second floor and to make some internal alterations.

Dorset Echo: Damage to timbers at building in Dorchester caused by beetles Damage to timbers at building in Dorchester caused by beetles 

The agents, Symonds and Sampson, say cracking was first spotted in 2018 to the ceiling of a first-floor storage area to the front of the building which led to the discovery of damaged timber joists and beams caused by beetles on the second floor.

A removal of a lathe and plaster ceiling revealed that the beetle infestation had caused a loss of strength to the central beam running from front to back of the building, leading to one area being cleared and steel straps being installed in 2020 to prevent any further movement.

Dorset Echo: Damage to timbers at building in Dorchester caused by beetles Damage to timbers at building in Dorchester caused by beetles 

The proposed works will involve the strengthening of the existing timber beams where they are most severely damaged, repairs to damaged timber joists, installation of steel restraints and timber sister floor joists with hangers added to the floor joists where they have pulled away from the central beam.

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The agents say access into and around the building will not be affected by the proposed works and the structure remains safe.

A Dorset Council report concluded that although the works would affect the listed elements of the building: “This harm is far outweighed by the structural benefit to the building, and the sustainable future of the building. The proposed works are necessary to ensure the building is maintained in good condition and can have a sustainable future use.

"The repair works are ‘honest’ repairs and are appropriate in this instance given the serious structural issues caused by the infestation and movement. Holistically, the works will not adversely impact on the character of the building.”