This building started life in 1872 as the Weymouth Royal Hospital and Dispensary and was enlarged in 1898. It closed in 1921 on amalgamation with the Princess Christian Hospital in Melcombe Avenue which was renamed the Weymouth and District Hospital.
The School Street building was then acquired by the Salvation Army. It later became a hostel for homeless men and was known as Colwell House. It closed in 1981 and was then demolished, making way for a small shopping complex, known as the Colwell Centre.
This traded moderately successfully for some years but its use declined and is now derelict. Planning consent has been given for a Premier Inn to be built there, the planning application having been submitted two years previously.
