The seaside town characterised by its elegant Georgian esplanade is reinventing itself as a premier sailing centre. The harbour has already benefited from a Dean and Reddyhoff-designed marina part-funded by the Single Regeneration Budget. Architect FaulknerBrowns has now won a commission to design a £6m sailing academy overlooking Weymouth Bay.

Weymouth’s £28m shopping centre opened in May. Developed by Shearer Property Group and Hill Samuel Asset Management, it boasts a Debenhams department store as well as a nine-screen cinema.