BUSINESSES in Dorchester have reacted positively to attempts to limit the impact of a car park closure at the site of West Dorset District Council’s new offices.

Retailers reacted angrily when the construction work on the new office block at Charles Street led to a closure of a 226-space car park.

Traders, particularly in the Hardye Arcade, claim the shutting down of the car park lead to a dramatic drop in footfall that was threatening their business.

Now new signs have been put in place, both directing shoppers down the arcade and at either end of the arcade, and a suggestion that buses could drop people off at the bottom of the arcade.

The moves come after campaigning from businesses and support from the Chamber of Commerce and Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District).

Manager of the Owen and Simpson cookshop, David Taylor, said the new signage and other measures proposed were the fruits of a concerted effort by business to combat the impacts of the car park closure.

He said: “Now we have had our voices heard, everybody is helping and we are all in it together. I really do think this is going to do it now.”

Neil Strudwick, who owns Goldcrest Jewellers in the Hardye Arcade with wife Donna added: “It’s good to have something with a positive spin and have some clarity as to what’s going on.

“There’s a feel good factor and people are coming back into the town.”

Shaun Samways, owner of the Potting Shed in the Hardye Arcade, also welcomed news that the council was proposing to take down signs on the edge of town advertising the closure of the car park.

He said: “They just gave the impression that Dorchester is closed rather than open for trade.”

Mr Taylor, who is also a Dorchester Town Councillor, said there was an opportunity now for the town’s business community to move away from previous negativity and celebrate what Dorchester has to offer in terms of its heritage and shopping opportunities.

He said: “All the independent retailers and the business community is now working together as a team to achieve a reason to visit Dorchester.”

‘We have been working hard to offer support’ – councillors

WEST Dorset District Council has vowed to do all it can to help businesses in the town while work is underway at the Charles Street site.

Vice chairman of the council’s executive committee Anthony Alford said: “We have been working hard to offer as much help and support as we can to businesses while work on the Charles Street development takes place.

“Officers continue to hold regular liaison meetings with representatives of local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and Dorchester BID to help ensure that the views of the business community are heard and that we work out ways in which we can help.

“It was as a result of these meetings that we became aware of the concerns about the development from traders in the Hardye Arcade and resolved to pay special attention to these businesses.

“Following face-to-face discussions with traders from the arcade the leader of the council Robert Gould instructed officers to offer as much support to them as possible and as a result we have provided large scale signs to help ensure Dorchester’s shoppers and visitors are aware of the short stay parking provision at Wollaston Field.”