Wareham hotel to reopen after ceiling collapse safety checks

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 09:31 · Archive

The Bear Hotel in Wareham is set to reopen on Thursday after structural damage forced its closure.

The Bear Hotel in Wareham closed for safety checks after part of a ceiling and masonry above a bay window came down in a second-floor bedroom on 11 October. The affected room was unoccupied at the time and there were no reports of injuries. South Street and the pavement outside were initially fully closed to traffic whilst scaffolding and barriers were installed; the road partially reopened mid-week.

The hotel's owners said the building had received official certification confirming it passed all inspections by local authorities and structural engineers and was deemed safe to reopen. The hotel is set to welcome guests back on Thursday 22 October. A spokesperson added that 'The Bear may look a little different from how you remember it for a while, but rest assured it is simply getting a makeover'.

The Bear thanked Dorset Council, contractors, emergency services, and the community for their support during the closure. The Grade II-listed former coaching inn, built in 1852 and known locally for the life-size stone bear on its entrance portico, is now preparing to resume normal operations.

Wareham hotel to reopen after ceiling collapse safety checks — Image: Dorset Echo

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Wareham hotel set to reopen after ceiling collapse forced evacuationA hotel is set to reopen after being evacuated due to structural damage in one of its guest rooms.Dorset Echo · 20 Oct, 09:40
Wareham hotel set to reopen after ceiling collapse forced evacuationA hotel is set to reopen after being evacuated due to structural damage in one of its guest rooms.Bournemouth Echo · 20 Oct, 08:31
Hotel to reopen after ceiling collapse checksThe hotel which closed for safety checks after structural damage is set to reopen on Thursday.BBC Dorset · 20 Oct, 08:16

In this story: The Bear Hotel · Wareham · Dorset Council · South Street

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem