What Happens When Local Residents Get Involved?

For years, Weymouth Area Development Trust (WADT) has been quietly helping to shape projects that benefit the town and its residents. But many people still ask: what exactly is WADT, and what does it do?

WADT is part of a national network of Development Trusts — organisations led by local people who want to make a positive difference in their communities. By listening to residents, working with partners, attending meetings, monitoring local needs, and exploring opportunities, WADT has shown what can happen when a group of committed people work together for the good of their town.

Supporting People Through Digital Inclusion

One of WADT’s early successes was securing funding to train volunteer Digital Champions, helping local people gain confidence using computers and the internet. The initiative proved so successful that Dorset Council adopted the model and rolled it out across the county.

Creating Community Spaces

WADT worked alongside the newly formed Weymouth Town Council to help create the thriving Tumbledown Farm Community site — a space that continues to bring people together and support local activity.

We also helped establish and run the Weymouth Information Shop on St Mary Street, in partnership with Volunteer Centre Dorset, Help and Kindness, and Age UK. The project has since been taken forward by the Dry Dock Community Pub.

Bringing Investment Into Weymouth

Working with the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, WADT successfully helped secure £3.7 million from the Coastal Communities Fund for the Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project.

Parts of the funding were later used by Dorset Council to improve harbour walkways and repair walls and pontoons around the Peninsula. WADT’s focus was on attracting businesses, investment, and jobs into the town.

Supporting Local Businesses

Recognising that small and medium-sized businesses make up around 80% of Weymouth’s economy, WADT helped create Starfish Enterprise.

Working in partnership with Coastland College, Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, Weymouth BID, and local councils, the project established a co-working and business support space for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and local enterprises.

Today, Starfish Enterprise offers office and hot desk facilities, workshops, training, and free drop-in sessions covering topics from self-employed mortgages to marketing and business finance.

Restoring Heritage Buildings for Community Use

Most recently, WADT purchased and began restoring a significant heritage building on King Street — the former Portland Railway Hotel — which had been left empty and damaged.

The building is being transformed into a community-focused business and creative hub, with office and studio space for local businesses and sole traders. Thanks to a regeneration grant from Dorset Council, work is now moving into Phase 2, which will include a community café and additional studio spaces.

Importantly, the entire project is being developed on a not-for-profit basis — run by the community, for the community.

Looking Ahead

WADT is continuing to develop several ambitious projects for Weymouth’s future, including:

A Community Land Trust to deliver more than 50 genuinely affordable homes for local people, held in perpetuity for community benefit.

A Family Hub project being developed alongside Dorset Children and Family Services.

The Heart of Weymouth Project — a partnership aiming to bring The Rectory (also known as The Clipper) into community ownership and transform the iconic listed building into a vibrant cultural and visitor centre featuring arts, performance space, food, books, and visitor information.

“Ordinary People Can Make Amazing Things Happen”