SHOP units at the Dorchester Forum Centre, off Trinity Street, could be sub-divided to almost double the number of shops.

If approved it will follow a trend in the area – with the Co-Op having been split in two last year to allow a 24-hour gym to be built.

Proposals have been lodged with Dorset Council to subdivide units 3,4, 6 and 7 with unit 7 to be refurbished and then separated from unit 6. The existing Snappy Pizza business will remain as it is.

The application comes from local businessman Mr Peter Bolton with a Dorchester agent acting on his behalf.

Details submitted to Dorset Council say the units 3 and 4 were last used as a music shop, which has now moved to a new, smaller, location in the town, while unit 3 closed five years ago and unit 4 shut down 18 months ago. Units 6 and 7 were last used by the Salvation Army as a charity shop, which closed in October 2023.

The agent says that although the vacant units have been offered on the market for lease there had been little  interest and market research suggests that the smaller units will be more attractive, each having their own loo and hot drink preparation area. It is reported that there has already been interest in the smaller units, subject to planning being agreed, with two businesses said to be showing “a strong interest.”

Up until the 1980s the centre was the site of the former Wadham Stringer showroom and garage and was re-developed in the early 1990s.