SHOP units at the Forum Centre, off Trinity Street in Dorchester, are likely to be split up to almost double the number.

Dorset Council has approved the planning application 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 was submitted by local businessman Mr Peter Bolton with a Dorchester agent acting on his behalf.

READ MORE: Plan to divide row of empty shops in two to boost business

Two of the units were last used as a music shop, which has now moved to a new location in the town, while unit 3 closed five years ago and unit 4 shut down 18 months ago.

Dorset Echo: The Forum Centre in Dorchester town centreThe Forum Centre in Dorchester town centre (Image: NQ)

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 in anyone taking them on, with market research suggesting that the smaller units will be more attractive.

The agent says there has already been interest in the smaller units, 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.