Weymouth Bowl Update

The site of the former bowling alley on St Nicholas Street in Weymouth has been cleared. The future of the site is still to be decided but following the site clearance the area has been secured with hoardings.

Dorset Council, who owns the site, has employed the services of Context One Heritage & Archaeology to carry out an archaeological excavation of the area.

A preliminary evaluation of the location showed the possibility of medieval frontages from the beginnings of the town itself. This part of the town would have been the original foreshore around which the settlement has been built.

It is suspected that it will have a similar history to the area on North Quay that had formerly housed the council offices.

The site occupies one of the earliest parts of the medieval town of Melcombe Regis which was founded in the late 13th century. A preliminary evaluation in 2022 uncovered the remains of at least one medieval property along St Nicholas Street, dating from this time, along with the remains of an early 19th-century Congregational Chapel at the rear which was later converted into the Theatre Royal during the Victorian period. The discoveries provided a vivid glimpse of the town’s origins and later evolution and has the potential to yield a more detailed insight into the rich history of Weymouth and complement the recent discoveries at North Quay.

The archaeological exploration is weather dependant, and it is possible that work will not start until February or March of next year. Context One will be running a recruitment event for volunteers closer to this time.

The demolition of the former ten pin bowling centre was delayed due to the presence of asbestos in the internal roof tiles. These had to be removed and disposed of according to the Control of Asbestos Regulations.

The site will form a part of the council’s Reenergising Dorset’s Economy programme. Initially concentrating on Chickerell, Weymouth and Portland, it’s focused on a future where prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth, said:

“This site is significant for many reasons. It is important that we understand the history of the area as much as we can. And it is equally vital for the future of the town, when combined with the larger plan for the town and the surrounding areas.”

Richard McConnell, Context One, said:

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to excavate in Weymouth once again on behalf of Dorset Council. Our preliminary investigation not only showed a whole sequence of remains dating all the way back to the town’s foundation but also how well preserved these were. Crucially, the excavation will be carried out as a community project with volunteers from Dig The Street group and the local community, and we can’t wait to share the discoveries as they unfold.”

 Further details of the timing of the archaeological excavation and the future of the site will be released at a later date.