Retail premises for sale

8 Cornhill & 27 Durngate Street, Dorchester, Dorset DT1

A rare opportunity to acquire a substantial freehold towncentre investment in the heart of Dorchester, anchored by national retailers Costa and Vodafone. The property comprises three incomeproducing commercial units plus two vacant upperfloor office suites offering clear residential conversion potential (STPP). The combined floor area extends to over 10,300 sq ft, generating a current rent of £105,400 p.a.x., with an erv of approx. £150,000 p.a.x. The freehold is available at £1,400,000.

8 Cornhill (Costa Coffee)

Tenant: Costa Ltd
Floors: Ground, Lower Ground, First & Second
Area: 7,878 sq ft
Lease expiry: 27 November 2028
Break option: Tenantonly break on 28 February 2027
Passing rent: £62,000 p.a.x.

Tenant: Vodafone Ltd
Floors: Ground & Lower Ground
Area: 1,020 sq ft
Lease expiry: 2 March 2030
Break option: Tenantonly break 2 March 2028
Passing rent: £30,000 p.a.x.

Tenant: The Walnut Grove (Dorchester) Ltd
Area: 494 sq ft
Interconnected café portion under separate ownership
Lease expiry: 24 March 2034
Breaks: March 2027 & 2029
Passing rent: £13,400 p.a.x.

27 Durngate Street (First & Second Floors – Vacant Offices)
Two office suites:
Suite 1: 465 sq ft
Suite 2: 460 sq ft
Combined potential rental income: £26,000–£28,000 p.a.
Residential conversion potential (STPP)
Includes attic space (not inspected)

Current passing rent: £105,400 p.a.x.
Estimated Rental Value (erv): C. £150,000 p.a.x.
Price: £1,400,000 freehold

Dorchester is a historic and thriving county town known for its Roman heritage, Georgian architecture, and strong cultural identity. With a population of around 22,600 (boosted by the continued expansion of Poundbury), it serves as a major commercial, educational, and healthcare hub for central and west Dorset, drawing from a wide rural catchment where public transport is limited. The property occupies a prime town centre position close to Dorchester West Station and surrounded by strong neighbouring occupiers including The Cornish Bakery, Seasalt Cornwall, Costa, Vodafone, Greggs, Holland & Barrett, and major highstreet brands throughout Cornhill and the Tudor Arcade.

We would urge you to register a couple of days in advance as we cannot guarantee you will be registered on time to bid if we only receive your documents on the day of the auction.

It is imperative that you register to bid in the name you wish the property to be registered with Land Registry on completion. If buying in a company name, please ensure to detail the company name on the registration. Once the property is exchanged, the vendor could decline to accept any change.

Buyers should review the legal pack with their solicitor and ensure they do their own due diligence before deciding to purchase.

All property offered at auction is under an unconditional contract, requiring the successful buyer to pay a 10% non-refundable deposit and complete within the terms of the contract, which will normally be 14 or 28 days. For these reasons, it is suitable for cash buyers only.