AN ESTIMATED 60,000 visitors a day are expected to descend on Weymouth and Portland for next summer’s Olympic sailing events.

The unprecedented tourist attraction is going to provide a major boost to the borough’s tourist industry but it will also mean ‘business as unusual’ for many companies and individuals.

Businesses are being urged to start making plans now in preparation for possible restrictions to roads, parking and deliveries and to encourage their staff and customer to switch from cars to other modes of transport from July 27 to August 12, 2012.

Free help is being offered by London 2012 officials and local authorities in order to keep businesses running smoothly and to ensure a successful home Games.

Workshops are starting today at The Heights Hotel, Portland, workshops and will continue in Weymouth tomorrow and on Monday in Dorchester.

Jon Foley, of the London 2012 travel demand management team, said: “The purpose of these sessions is to encourage local businesses to start thinking about some of the transport challenges next summer associated with the Games and the way in which their businesses operate.

“Importantly we want them to look at and identify things they can do differently in how they operate to overcome these changes.

“For example maybe they could talk to their suppliers to discuss delivering goods and services at different times of the day – during less busy times.

“Similarly if their staff tend to drive to work they could encourage them to travel in different ways or to travel at different times of the day.”

Topics of the workshops will include the transport challenge local businesses face, current transport plans for the borough and the surrounding area, the support available for the local business community and sharing best practice – looking at what local firms are already doing.

Officials will also discuss how local roads will be managed during the Games, the local area traffic management parking plan and how to optimise deliveries, servicing and freight.

The three workshops follow a well-attended Olympics travel themed conference at Weymouth College in June.

They are the start of monthly workshops, which will run in Portland, Weymouth and Dorchester from November until April 2012.

Weymouth is one of just two venues outside of London being offered this service – the other is the 2012 rowing centre at Dorney Lake in Windsor, Berkshire.

Mr Foley added: “It’s free advice, we want to ensure that in Weymouth, Portland and the surrounding areas the business communities are in a good place for next summer.

“We’re hoping that businesses won’t underestimate the role they can play in making next summer as successful as it’s going to be.”

To find out more book and attend the sessions or visit london2012.com/traveladviceforbusiness

Workshop locations

TODAY, 7.30am, 1pm and 6pm: The Heights Hotel, Yeates Road, Portland

• Friday, October 7, 7.30am, 1pm and 6pm: Weymouth Community Fire Station, Radipole Lane

• Monday, October 10, 7.30am, 1pm and 6pm: Dorford Centre, 2 Bridport Road The sessions are first come, first served and are limited to 20 people.

To book a place, email Jess Rice on jessicarice@weymouth.gov.uk