Dorset Council Approves New Premier Inn in Dorchester Town Centre 102-bedroom Premier Inn will be the brand’s second hotel in the market town
Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hospitality business and owner of Premier Inn, has secured planning permission from Dorset Council to build a new Premier Inn hotel in Dorchester Town Centre.
The approved development progresses the transformation of the vacant former Marks & Spencer store on South Street into a latest format 102-bedroom Premier Inn.
This new hotel, which will become the second Premier Inn in Dorchester, will support the vitality of the town centre by increasing footfall and year-round visitor spending. Premier Inn’s affordable hotel rooms appeal equally to leisure and business travellers throughout the year.
An economic impact assessment submitted as part of the planning application calculated that approximately 78,000 guests will stay at the South Street hotel once it settles into its market. Collectively these guests are anticipated to generate more than £4 million in visitor expenditure a year supporting established businesses and attractions in and around Dorchester.
Whitbread also expects to create around 30 permanent jobs at the new hotel, with recruitment focussed within Dorchester and the surrounding area, with many established jobs supported in the construction sector whilst the hotel is being built.
The company is intending to invest more than £11 million in the new hotel.
Steve Bulley, president for the Dorchester Chamber of Business added:
“The Dorchester Chamber for Business is delighted to hear that the former Marks and Spencer building will get a new lease as a Premier Inn.
“This development with create much needed local jobs and bring visitor spending into Dorchester town centre and Brewery Square.
“Our members have been overwhelmingly supportive of the planning application and are pleased to see Dorset Council taking a proactive approach with its approval.”
Louise Woodruff, Acquisitions Manager at Whitbread, commented:
“Premier Inn brings real benefits to town centre locations like Dorchester’s South Street. We offer high-quality accommodation, create secure year-round employment, and attract both business and leisure guests — generating consistent footfall and year-round visitor expenditure that ultimately supports local shops, restaurants and attractions.
“In Dorchester, we have worked hard as a team to design a hotel that is sympathetic to its surroundings and enhances the character of the area and I’m confident our second Premier Inn will be a valuable addition to the town, complementing our existing trading hotel at Brewery Square.
“As we mark this important milestone, I would like to thank the many individuals and organisations who supported us throughout the planning process. We had a very positive response from the local community since first launching our proposals in 2023, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped us get to this stage and backed our investment in the heart of the town.”
Whitbread launched its plans for the South Street hotel in summer 2023, holding a public exhibition at the former Marks & Spencer store in early September 2023 and engaging the local community and relevant stakeholders through digital channels.
The events, and subsequent engagement with stakeholders, helped inform the final design which was submitted to Dorset Council in May 2024. Dorset Council approved the application on 12th May 2025.
With over 100 members any business in Dorset can join Dorchester Chamber from business for £60p/a (no VAT).
