WALKING through town this week it had a wonderfully relaxed ‘continental’ atmosphere. There were more tables than ever on the pavements, whether in the high streets, on the sea front or round the harbourside. Local businesses are largely driving the feel-good factor and there are a number of organisations in the borough representing them. If you’re in business and not a member, now’s the time you might like to get involved.

CHAMBER

The most long established of these groups is the Weymouth & Portland Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Secretary to the WPCCIT, Michel Hooper-Immins says: “This last year the chamber has set its collective eyes on three main projects – the Pavilion peninsula redevelopment, the Weymouth Relief Road and the need to ensure car parking charges are reduced to a reasonable level in winter to encourage, rather than drive away, trade to the town.

"We continue to press the various bodies and committees involved in the run-up to the 2012 Games to ensure that local businesses will gain lasting benefit from bringing the sailing competitions to Weymouth and Portland."

TOWN CENTRE GROUP

The Weymouth Town Centre Group is an alliance of many of the town’s traders – from large national companies to small traders. The aim is to bring together all the elements of the commercial life of the town, including Dorset Police and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council. The TCG is proactive in organising events in various parts of the town, designed to encourage shoppers to come to Weymouth and to spend more time in the various shops.

Car parking charges are as much of an issue for this group as for the Chamber of Commerce.

HARBOUR TRADERS

The Harbour Traders Association’s main aim is to promote the Old Harbour area of Weymouth to both visitors and local people as a vibrant destination with not only a long and fascinating history but with a real buzz and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is intended that the mix of commercial and leisure marine activity will blend with a range of quayside catering and entertainment in the run up to 2012. The HTA organises the Oyster Festival and other events around the harbour. One of their aims is to highlight out of season tourism opportunities.