PROPOSALS to turn Dorchester's former M&S store into a Premier Inn have been broadly welcomed by the town's Civic Society.

It says that while a commercial use might have been better, the new hotel will help re-animate the town centre.

"The proposed hotel use is acceptable and should help bring more consumers into the town centre, making a positive contribution to the local economy. Given the high occupancy rates of the Brewery Square Premier Inn, it also helps in providing much-needed hotel accommodation in Dorchester," says the Society.

Society members are asking Premier Inn to re-think their proposed window designs, to replicate the existing style and is asking for consideration to be given to the hotel 'Cedar Park', in recognition of the previous use before the M&S store was built, or the hotel restaurant as 'The Thermopolium' to acknowledge the Roman heritage lying under the site.

There is some criticism from the Society of the Trinity Street frontage which the Society says, although making a positive contribution to the Conservation Area, remains "too severe" and should be re-designed to have a pedestrian access from the street – rather than customers have to walk down the alley to South Street.

The proposed east elevation.

"Alternatively, it would be a progressive move for Premier Inn to offer a service where guests could park in the Acland Road or Trinity Street car parks and then be ferried (with their luggage) in a small electric vehicle – perhaps an e-trishaw – up to the hotel entrance on South Street. Such a service might well be a positive selling factor. Would Premier Inn reconsider their arrangement for guests arriving at the hotel by car – especially those with mobility issues, disabilities or with heavy suitcases?"

Other suggestions from the Society include more solar panels on the roof, although it welcomes the proposed use of a heat pump.

Public comments on the application are now closed – with the scheme attracting very few comments, mostly positive, with some picking up the same details as the Civic Society.

Dorchester Town Council welcomed the proposals saying the design complemented the area.