DORSET’S coroner’s service may be moved out of Bournemouth town hall, newly published documents have said. 

Previous agreements between Dorset Council and BCP Council resulted in the latter hosting the county’s coroner’s services in Bournemouth town hall in Bourne Avenue. 

Meanwhile the cost to operate the service, which includes inquests, are divided between the two local authorities in accordance with a population-based formula. 

However, documents published by BCP Council have claimed accommodating the service has “presented several challenges”. 

Chief among which is providing “appropriately sized courts and ancillary rooms for larger inquests”, which can often see families, witnesses, a jury, members of the public and press attend.  

As well as this, the report highlighted the “tensions” between the formal and sombre nature of inquests and the commercial uses of the town hall, such as wedding ceremonies. 

“These very different purposes would ideally be provided for in separate locations,” the report by senior council officers said. 

But now the report has recommended Dorset’s coroner’s service should be moved to Parkway House, an empty retail unit in Avenue Road, Bournemouth town centre. 

The report added: “This would provide the coroner’s service with an independent and accessible new home, fit for purpose for the future of the service. 

“The costs of delivering this option are currently being considered. If it is not possible to progress this option, it is anticipated that alternative options will need to be identified including retaining the coroner service within the BCP civic centre with appropriate modifications to accommodation as appropriate.”