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Dorchester BID Informal Open Workshop 25th January 5-7pm

Monday, January 23rd, 2012

Kings Arms Dorchester

Dear DBID’er,

We warmly invite you to attend this brief evening event at the Kings Arms Hotel. It is your first chance to help shape the future of the Dorchester BID should we be successful in continuing for the next 5 years after a re-ballot to be held in 2013.

We are hoping to start gathering ideas for projects that you feel would help your business to flourish and help Dorchester continue to shine as a destination for shoppers and tourists over the next few years.

It is your chance to help steer the DBID in the directions you see as important. Over the next 9 months we will be building a list of project ideas, placing them on the website and allowing BID levy payers to vote monthly to give priority to the suggested projects. The whole process will be explained on the 25th but if you have any opinions, ideas, questions about what DBID should be doing in the future, then you really need to come to this meeting.

If you can’t get there for 5.00pm sharp, don’t worry, the format of the evening will still allow you to express your thoughts and you can join in part way through.

Refreshment and nibbles will be supplied to sustain you so please make it if you can.

I very much look forward to seeing you there. The DBID is here to help your business, help tell us how we can do that better and we will build a better BID for the future.

Kind Regards,

Phil

PS Please let me know if you are intending to come so I can get an idea of numbers for catering.

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A Very Happy Christmas to all in Dorchester BID Land

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Three things for you to think about over Christmas…

1)  We will be offering a 50% subsidy on advertising in the ViewFrom series again for adverts  appearing in the ‘Experience Dorchester’ section in  Jan/Feb 2012.

The same deal as before, you need to contact the Viewfrom, book the adverts and they will notify us you have done so. Once you get your invoice you need to send us a copy of that invoice plus one from you to DBID for 50% up to a maximum of £200.

This is a limited offer available on a first come first served basis and we will try to favour businesses that have not already benefitted from advertising subsidies in 2011.

2)  There is a 50% subsidy to DBID levy payers on their cardboard recycling 2011/12 if done with WDDC.

If you would like to join up with WDDC please let me know. There are still some businesses that have not yet claimed their 2010/11 subsidy and if that is you or you are not sure again contact me.

3)  Parking voucher subsidy round one is about to start.

Please have your collection of vouchers ready and from early January, you will be able to download a claim form with instructions from www.dorchesterdorset.co.uk in the download area. You will have until the end of Jan to make your claim.

Finally, if anyone has any feedback from customers or staff on the Dorchester Ambassador pilot that ends on Saturday we would love to hear from you. If the feedback is good from you and the public then I am more likely to get buy-in from the local councils to consider part-funding a more permanent scheme in 2012 (for Wednesdays and ideally school holidays) so the more support the better.

Thank you all so much for your support over the year, it has been challenging at times but I think we are going out with a BANG this Christmas,

Phil

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Dorchester Social Media Workshop Level Two

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
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Social Media Workshop

Tuesday's social media workshop

We had another great Dorchester social media workshop this week at the Wessex Hotel. It was brilliant to see such a good turnout for our second level two session, and I think everyone took a lot from it, and left with plenty to think about regarding Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more.

Thanks to all who came, and also to Key Multimedia for providing the session.

We’re now starting to see a real community of Dorchester tweeters emerging, as lots of our local businesses have taken to it really well. It’s a fabulous opportunity to help each other out and promote each other- if you see a tweet your followers might be interested in, retweet it and help spread the word!

The list of attendees (and twitter names) of this week’s participants are below, and we’ve also put together an @DorchesterBID Twitter list of local business users: http://twitter.com/#!/DorchesterBID/dorchester-businesses.

Feel free to follow the list above and use it to build up your own contacts. It’ll be a growing list, and we’ll be adding new Dorchester tweeters when we come across them. If there’s anybody we have left out so far, just tweet us and we’ll add you to the list!

Tuesday’s Workshop Participants

@Artsreach (Delphine)
@Ann_snowden (Ann)
@SwallowsrestBB (Jane)
@Nbonypart (Richard)
@Dorchdude (Phil)
@greenequeen (Caroline)
@sgmhair (Stuart)
@DorchesterArts (Julie)
@DavidLakins (David)
@GregCameronDay (Greg)
@LanehouseGroup (Mike)
@Squire_tech (Mike)

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Dorchester’s Pubs: Part Two

Friday, March 25th, 2011
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You may have seen our blog post from a couple of weeks ago on some of Dorchester’s favourite pubs. Unfortunately we couldn’t do justice to all Dorchester’s fantastic pubs in one post, so we decided to do another with a few more of our local favourites.

When the weather is as gorgeous as it has been this week, many of our town’s pubs really come into their own. The lighter evenings mean that we are all the more eager to get out of the house and enjoy some local nightlife, and it hopefully won’t be too long before it will be warm enough to sit out in Dorchester’s pub beer gardens, basking in the sunshine with a cool pint of local beer or cider.

Here’s a few pubs you might be familiar with, and if you are not, then we urge you to give them a visit…

The Junction Hotel

The Junction Hotel

The Junction Hotel

The Junction Hotel sits right in the heart of Dorchester, on the doorstep of the town centre and the famous market. Though it serves as a hotel for many visitors to Dorchester, the heart and soul of the Junction is the pub itself.

There is a lively, bustling atmosphere in the evenings, but you can still always find a cosy corner for a quiet drink if you want to. The selection of ales, lagers and wines available is exemplary, and there will be plenty on the food menu to whet your appetite – from great main courses like pork and cider hotpot to delightful deserts like the cheesecake trio.

The Sydney Arms

The Sydney Arms is the pub where there’s always something going on! With darts, poker and pool leagues going on during week nights, and discos and karaoke nights on the weekends, there’s never a dull moment!

And that’s not all. The Sydney Arms also have weekly steak nights and a Sunday carvery, so it’s well worth a visit for Dorchester foodies. The carvery comes in three sizes – child, adult, and ‘The Giant’ for those who really like a challenge!

The Borough Arms

The Borough Arms

The Borough Arms

A super friendly pub with a good crowd of regulars, the Borough Arms is one of a cluster of popular pubs situated on Dorchester High Street.

The upbeat atmosphere makes it a great venue on the weekends, and the friendly service will always make you feel welcome. Give it a try, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

The Sun Inn

The Sun Inn is an historic 17th Century Pub set in picturesque Dorset countryside, less than a mile from Dorchester. The building was built on land once belonging to Henry VIII, and was formerly used as a blacksmiths.

The staff at the family-run Sun Inn are committed to serving food that is simple but also exciting and delicious. There is a carvery, an extensive vegetarian selection and daily chef’s blackboard specials. There is also a large drinks menu, with enough wines, beers and soft drinks to ensure there is something for everyone.

The pub has two large car parks, a garden and a kids’ play area, so it is perfect for bringing the whole family to experience the Sun Inn’s renowned carvery, available every Sunday!

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Local Schoolchildren Get Stuck in to Dorchester’s Chewing Gum Problem

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011
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Sunninghill children share their anti-gum message

Sunninghill children share their anti-gum message

Dorchester schoolchildren have been taking the lead in keeping Dorchester’s arcades clean and pleasant for shoppers. They took to the streets last week to highlight the issue of chewing gum being dropped in the town centre.

We all know how unsightly a gum covered street can be, not to mention annoying when you get a piece stuck to your shoe! So it was cheering to see local children taking action to raise awareness of this nuisance. The Sunninghill pupils took over Hardye Arcade armed with pieces of coloured chalk, and spent the afternoon circling and doodling around all the pieces of chewing gum littered across the arcade.

The kids’ imaginations were allowed to run wild, and by the end of the day’s work there was a wonderfully decorated arcade, accompanied by a colourful, eye-catching plea to not drop chewing gum on the street.

Nearby business owners wholeheartedly supported the kids’ efforts, agreeing that a clean, attractive town would be more welcoming to visitors and would improve business.

After the kids had done their bit, the professional gumbusters moved in. They spent all day Sunday deep cleaning the arcade with their heavy duty cleaning equipment, and by Monday the street was completely gum-free and unblemished.

Our thanks go to the children of Sunninghill Preparatory school for their fantastic creativity and hard work, and to the professional cleaners who left Hardye Arcade looking spotless at the weekend. We all hope it stays that way over the coming months.

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Bridie & the Blues

Friday, July 30th, 2010
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Saturday Live Dorchester is going from strength to strength as the holidays go by. This week (31 July 2010) there is a musical double bill featuring the B.B.Hall Band playing classic blues, original R&B and Rock ‘n’ Roll from 10am til midday followed by local guitar heroes and singer songwriters, Kipper and Roye with special guest the inimitable Andy Grant.

BB Hall

BB Hall

If you were in Dorchester, Dorset last summer you may remember bumping into the stilt walking, giantess and Irish tea lady, Bridie. Her appearance was so popular we have asked her back so look out for more tea trolley roller skating antics in South Street complete with Tom Jones jukebox.

Bridie

Bridie

Every week we feature the best in local live musical acts across all styles of music. Bands will perform from lunchtime into the afternoon and there will be an opportunity for people in the community to book the stage to perform in the morning before the main act set up. Add to this some of the finest street theatre performances plus entertainment for the kids and there can be no better place to spend Saturday.

Now in its fourth season, the summer events are growing in stature and popularity thanks to continued funding from Dorchester Town Council, Dorchester BID, the Chamber of Commerce and West Dorset District Council.

All events are absolutely free so please come and enjoy and spend your Saturdays in Dorchester all summer long.

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Race for Life – Kingston Maurward

Thursday, May 20th, 2010
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‘Good Luck’ to everyone who is taking part in the Dorchester Race for Life event on the 23rd May raising funds for  Cancer Research UK. The event will be opened by West End dancer David Hodgson from Weymouth, who has recently joined the Nivea male cheerleader and motivational team.  He said: “This year we will be performing a special routine to S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Moving, which is sure to get the women going”.
Everyone has their own personal reason for taking part, be it in memory of a loved one who died from the disease or perhaps they themselves have benefited from the work of cancer research. It is a worthy, enjoyable, and colourful (mainly pink) event, as well as a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. The annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. For the past 16 years women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at local organised events to raise much need funds to help beat cancer.
Dorchester Race for Life
The Dorchester Race for Life takes place in Kingston Maurward College , just outside Dorchester Town on Sunday 23 May 2010 at 11:00am. There is no prize for first place , you can jog or run the 5k route or join up with friends for a leisurely walk.
Up to 2500 women will be helping the Dorchester event to reach a fundraising target of £139,000 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. Participants are recommended to arrive at least an hour before the start of the Race for Life event to avoid queuing. Parking is available at Kingston Maurward College, although to avoid traffic congestion, it may be best to park in Dorchester Town and walk to the college.
Tips if you are taking part in the event for the first time:
If you are planning to run, it is worth working on your overall fitness. Using a running machine will help you to gauge the distance. The route includes some up hill climbs.
Wear the right shoes. If you are running the route it is worth investing in running shoes.
Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun cream and coat if necessary.
Walk, run or jog at your own pace.
Make sure you take a bottle of water, although refreshments will also be available to buy on the day.
Local sponsors of the event include Heart radio 102.3, Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Echo.
Funding for Cancer Research in UK
Every pound raised in sponsorship or fundraising helps to fund the work of over 4,500 researchers, doctors and nurses dedicated to helping more people beat cancer. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Race for Life supporters, Cancer Research UK funds vital research all over the UK and helped to make a difference to people with cancer.
Since 1994 the Race for Life event has raised more than £327 million in total for Cancer Research UK and over the years they have seen real improvements in the outlook for cancer patients in the UK. Today almost two thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer are expected to survive their disease for at least 20 years. When Race for Life first started, fewer than half could expect to survive this long. There has also been development and improvement of cervical screening resulting in an overall drop of around 15 per cent in the death rate from all cancers since Race for Life began.
Charity Single
You can make a contribution by buying the Race for Life charity single, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, on sale now at Tesco’s stores and available to download on iTunes.
Together we can all do our bit to beat cancer.
Dorchester race for life 23rd May

Dorchester race for life 23rd May

‘Good Luck’ to everyone who is taking part in the Dorchester Race for Life event on the 23rd May raising funds for  Cancer Research UK. The event will be opened by West End dancer David Hodgson from Weymouth, who has recently joined the Nivea male cheerleader and motivational team.  He said: “This year we will be performing a special routine to S Club 7’s Don’t Stop Moving, which is sure to get the women going”.

Everyone has their own personal reason for taking part, be it in memory of a loved one who died from the disease or perhaps they themselves have benefited from the work of cancer research. It is a worthy, enjoyable, and colourful (mainly pink) event, as well as a truly amazing and unforgettable experience. The annual Cancer Research UK Race for Life is the largest women-only fundraising event in the UK. For the past 16 years women of all ages and fitness levels across the UK have come together at local organised events to raise much need funds to help beat cancer.

Dorchester Race for Life

The Dorchester Race for Life takes place in Kingston Maurward College , just outside Dorchester Town on Sunday 23 May 2010 at 11:00am. There is no prize for first place, you can jog or run the 5k route or join up with friends for a leisurely walk.

Up to 2500 women will be helping the Dorchester event to reach a fundraising target of £139,000 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work. Participants are recommended to arrive at least an hour before the start of the Race for Life event to avoid queuing. Parking is available at Kingston Maurward College, although to avoid traffic congestion, it may be best to park in Dorchester Town and walk to the college.

Tips if you are taking part in the event for the first time:

If you are planning to run, it is worth working on your overall fitness. Using a running machine will help you to gauge the distance. The route includes some up hill climbs.

Wear the right shoes. If you are running the route it is worth investing in running shoes.

Wear comfortable clothing and bring sun cream and coat if necessary.

Walk, run or jog at your own pace.

Make sure you take a bottle of water, although refreshments will also be available to buy on the day.

Local sponsors of the event include Heart radio 102.3, Kingston Maurward College and Dorset Echo.

Funding for Cancer Research in UK

Every pound raised in sponsorship or fundraising helps to fund the work of over 4,500 researchers, doctors and nurses dedicated to helping more people beat cancer. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of Race for Life supporters, Cancer Research UK funds vital research all over the UK and helped to make a difference to people with cancer.

Since 1994 the Race for Life event has raised more than £327 million in total for Cancer Research UK and over the years they have seen real improvements in the outlook for cancer patients in the UK. Today almost two thirds of women diagnosed with breast cancer are expected to survive their disease for at least 20 years. When Race for Life first started, fewer than half could expect to survive this long. There has also been development and improvement of cervical screening resulting in an overall drop of around 15 per cent in the death rate from all cancers since Race for Life began.

Charity Single

You can make a contribution by buying the Race for Life charity single, “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”, on sale now at Tesco’s stores and available to download on iTunes.

Together we can all do our bit to beat cancer.

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The Charles Street Development

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010
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After some delay, and extensive public consultation the planning application for the £60 million Charles Street Development in Dorchester Dorset, has now been submitted to West Dorset District Council.

As part of the development there is likely to be

  • A range of new shops
  • A new public car park with 484 spaces
  • A 60-bedroom hotel
  • Affordable housing
  • New public toilets
  • Possible new library and adult education centre. This will be provided and paid for by Dorset County Council.
  • New council offices

It’s this last element that has attracted the most controversy.  The relocation of the WDDC offices are livened the discussion about the development as some see it as a waste of time.  A recent parish poll of over 2,000 residents overwhelmingly voted against the move.

Notwithstanding, the council are keen to move from their current offices based at Stratton House at a cost of £10.7 million.  The council claims the Stratton House complex is expensive to maintain and costly to heat and that total savings would be £145,000 per year.

The Council have tried to explain why the move is important and you can read further information here.

Amongst the retail outlets moving into the new development is Waitrose.  The supermarket chain, which is currently based at Tudor Arcade has agreed to the terms and will become one of the two anchor stores.

If the planning application is granted that work is expected to start on the project in 2010

Further reading

The Dorset Echo has published numerous articles on the subject.

Do you agree or disagree with the development?

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