Dorchester's BID is under way

The idea of a BID for Dorchester arose out of discussions in the Chamber Of Commerce Town Promotion sub-Committee last year. Town Crier Alistair Chisholm and current sub-Committee Chairman Keir Francis organised a meeting on 28th February in The King's Arms Hotel to see if a Steering Committee for a BID could be formed.

The meeting was publicised in the Dorset Echo and representatives of local organisations and businesses were invited. Fifteen people attended, including Town Councillors Harries, Hosford, Mann and Rennie. The meeting appointed Chamber President Rob Fox as interim Chairman and he introduced Trevor Hedger of the District Council who gave a short presentation about BIDS.

Eight people from the meeting were willing to become members of a Steering Group and the first formal meeting will take place in the Magistrates' Room at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday 22nd at 6pm. There are representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses on the group but it will now be an independent organistion.

The three tiers of local government have all given their support to the project. The Town Council started the ball rolling last year by granting the Town Promotion Fund £5,000. This enabled initial BID meetings to be held.

The District and County Council followed suite by each contributing £5,000 to a fund set up specifically to support the development of a BID. The District Council will not have a vote on the Steering Group since a BID is run by the businesses but Trevor Hedger will attend in an advisory role on behalf of all the Councils. As he said in his presentation, his function will be to advise on how the BID is organised not what is in it.

Match funding will be sought from the Regional Development Fund to help pay for a BID Officer to organise the work involved.