A FREE parking scheme has been launched to encourage more shoppers to return to Dorchester.

Dorchester BID has launched the scheme in a bid to drive customers back into shops which have suffered huge financial hardship throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The scheme allows shoppers to park in Dorchester for two hours for £1 and then have their fare refunded by participating shops if they spend £10 or more.

More than 70 shops and businesses have signed up to support the scheme as business owners rally round to encourage shoppers to visit them as lockdown restrictions ease.

Phil Gordon, project director at Dorchester BID, said: "The Dorchester BID is launching its pioneering and highly successful 'Park4FREE' voucher scheme to help boost the recovery of the high street by reducing or entirely removing the cost of parking in the town.

"Many of Dorchester's well-established businesses have been joined by several exciting new businesses who all believe that our county town has a bright future, one that they want to be part of.

"Many shops selling essential goods who have managed to remain open during lockdown have told us that they couldn't have done so without the support of their community and wanted to publicly thank everyone for their support, care and continuing custom."

David James, owner of toy shop Wise Owl Toys, is pleased to support the scheme which he hopes will drive shoppers back into the town and into his shop.

He said: "We have been closed for more than three months so it is vital that we get people back into the shop. So many shops seem to have closed in the town and I sincerely hope they will reopen but I expect some will not.

"We want to have as many shoppers coming into the town as possible and the free parking scheme might help that happen."

Neil Strudwick, owner of Goldcrest Jewellers and chairman of Dorchester BID, said: "Now that things are starting to 'unlock', it's a great time to rediscover all that Dorchester has to offer and enjoy some well-managed socially distanced shopping with free parking using the voucher scheme."

For more information in the scheme and a full list of the participating businesses, visit the Dorchester BID website.

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