Dorchester BID gains an overwhelming YES vote from the town’s businesses

Wednesday, July 5th, 2023

Dorchester BID - Ballot win July 2023 — DBID voluntary board members with BID Ranger Carol Kennelly

The Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District) has been supporting the town’s businesses and local community with a range of projects and initiatives since its inauguration in 2008. Back then, it was the 39^th BID in the UK. There are now hundreds of BID’s all over the British Isles but Dorchester was a pioneering market town BID.

Every 5 years the businesses in Dorchester are given the opportunity to have a democratic vote to either keep or lose their BID status for the town. The results are now in from CIVICA (the independent balloting company appointed by Dorset Council) and businesses voted 89% YES by voter numbers and an emphatic 95% by rateable value – A record for the town!

This result allows the Dorchester BID to continue providing popular projects such as our wonderful team of Town Ambassadors, town promotional activities, subsidies to reduce business costs (a benefit particularly to the smaller, independent businesses). The BID also helps fund the Keeper of the walks, hanging baskets, flags, Christmas trees & lights, sponsorship for town events and much more.

Chairman Neil Strudwick commented

“The size of the ‘YES’ vote was a huge surprise and shows that the town businesses have belief and confidence in Dorchester BID. In our last term we achieved so much against a backdrop of uncertainty. Now is not the time to rest on our laurels but to push forward and make Dorchester a shining light with the full support of the businesses.

As DBID Chairman I want to say a big thank you to all the BID team for their hard work over the past 5 years and a massive thank you to the levy payers who help make Dorchester BID the success story it’s become.”

Phil Gordon, DBID Project Director told us

“It has been my privilege to run the BID over the years and we will now be able to go continue our popular DorchLive music performances on Saturdays in South Street and continue to partner the town’s businesses to run our Park4FREE scheme. The town’s Dorchester_FREE Wi-Fi network will not only continue but be extended over the next 5 years -all great news for Dorchester!”

The Dorchester BID works in partnership with Dorchester Town Council to provide the excellent Discover Dorchester Town App and Website as well as other initiatives like the hanging baskets, street furniture and Christmas lights.