Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Business closures in Dorchester’s main shopping street could be affecting the vitality of the area.
On the western side of the street there is now a row of mainly closed buildings, stretching from the former Lloyds Bank on the corner with High West Street to the ex M&S store which Premier Inn were to convert into a hotel, until they pulled out earlier in the year.
The opposite side of the street now also has several empty shops, including a café, although on the plus side Reeve the Baker is currently converting the former Halifax bank for its new business in the county town.
On the edge of Cornhill Dorchester Arts recently announced the closure of its café at the Corn Exchange while at the other end of South Street three fire-damaged properties remain behind fencing with no recent obvious sign of repair work.
Dorchester town councillor Molly Rennie told a Dorchester Markets meeting that even the street traders at Cornhill, part of South Street, were now also suffering with the income from stall fees taking a substantial dip.
Figures before the committee show that the Cornhill market, which generally operates throughout most of the week, is down by roughly a third over a six-month period, with a negative variance on budget of more than £2,100, despite much of this period being during the summer when the country enjoyed good weather and increases local tourism.
“It’s a great shame but not so many people are coming to that end of the street now… even during the Heritage events it was noticeably quieter there,” said Cllr Rennie, “Thank goodness we have still got Boots.”
Dorchester Chamber of Commerce was asked on October 8th and again on October 9th for its reaction to the claims of a fall in business for the street and in particular at the Cornhill end. At the time of writing there has been no response.
If we do receive a response it will be published at a later date, as soon as practicable.
