A WEYMOUTH Beefeater could be demolished and replaced with an extension to a neighbouring hotel.

Premier Inn has applied for permission to demolish the Beefeater on the Gateway Business Park, which neighbours the chain’s 87-bed hotel.

In its place, Premier Inn wants to build a new, three-storey ‘annex’, consisting of 36 new rooms, as well as a restaurant.

“Premier Inn has identified a considerable demand for additional hotel accommodation in this location,” the application to Dorset Council said.

“Equally, the existing hotel restaurant has shown a continued shortfall in demand.

“The applicant therefore seeks to reconfigure the hotel bedroom and restaurant offer on the site to ensure its success and future viability.

“The proposal seeks permission for the demolition of the existing Beefeater restaurant, and the erection of a 36-bedroom three storey hotel annex in its place.

“A restaurant will be re-provided within the proposed annex. Two universal access bedrooms are set to be provided in the existing hotel at the expense of three existing bedrooms.

“As a result, there will be a net increase of 35 bedrooms and 122 bedrooms in total.

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“An annex entrance along with a separate restaurant access will be provided on the eastern elevation facing the existing hotel.”

The site, which measures around 1.75 hectares, also features parking for 101 vehicles. Vehicular access would remain as it currently is, the plan said.

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2024/05087.