Report - May/June 09

• Levy bills sent out - A lot of time has been spent in the last few weeks smoothing brows and making people happy after the levy bills went out! There were far less problems than last year where, despite our best efforts and multiple communications via letter/personal and press stories, there were still some businesses that claimed to know nothing about the BID and what it was all about.

  Although a very good number of businesses have now fully engaged with the DBID by registering on our website (www.dorchesterdorset.co.uk) there are still people that have taken on businesses since last year and others that need everything explaining again. It is therefore still is a big drain on my time for a month or two after the bills go out. The positive that come out of this exercise, is with virtually no exceptions, once explained the new business owners are delighted with what we are doing and aim to achieve over the 5 year period.

  Personally, I would much rather have the opportunity to hear from someone that needs reassuring or having the DBID principle explained as it allows me to tell them exactly how we can and will help their business!

• Website - We continue efforts on get more DBID businesses onto the website and are now up to 140. I am hoping to hit at least 200 by the end of this year. Several have registered but not yet done directory entries, which is a shame but we will chase them up.

  Optimization of website for best results in the search engines is about to be underway, Keir can tell you more.

• Subsidised advertising - We have had a fantastic response to the subsidised advertising in the ViewFrom Newspapers. This 'Shop local shop in Dorchester' section is growing steadily. We have also extended the subsidy to non retail and estate agents. I am also looking at other potential partners to give Dorchester businesses more choice on their advertising opportunities.
• Car park data - I had a meeting with Eugene Barns from WDDC - He has agreed to supply car park data, so we can analyse the numbers and compare year on year, but I am sorry to report I am still waiting.
• Welcome packs - We had a town promotion meeting. Welcome packs some have gone out (thanks Alistair) Lisa and I are ringing all those B&B/hotels listed in the TIC's guide next week to invite them to collect some from the TIC. We may need to reorder some folders soon Tim Batty is happy to supply these again.
• Annual report - Completed design for the BID's first annual report and printed 1000.
• Roundabouts - Dinosaur on a roundabout! Possible dead end on this but O Letwin MP has offered his help, Keir has been asked by him to send him a letter, and he will see what can be done.
• Litter bins - WDDC have no budget at present but trying to see if they can start the role out process before summer is over with a couple of new bins - More next meeting.
• Stop the drop team - have now installed nearly 50 bins and given out 150 person butt boxes (thanks for those who helped on Saturday). Lisa and I have now been around all the bins and added the 'sponsored by DBID' stickers which was agreed as part of out £10/bin contribution.

Report Archive

• July/August 2008 report
• September/November 2008 report
• January 2009 report
• PDF download of AGM 2008/9 annual report (5Mb)

Report - March 09

• Recession - I had a useful meeting with Business Link, who promoted their services to businesses in trouble needing support. I alerted the registered Dorchester businesses to the facilities and help available from business link with assistance to businesses struggling in the current climate.
• Website activity - Continuing efforts on getting more DBID businesses onto the directory of our Dorchester website www.dorchesterdorset.com. We are getting there, up to 120 now. I am hoping to hit 200 by the end of this year. The DBID site you are looking at is still the 'backend' site for BID businesses with content being updated regularly with news and offers for DBID businesses.
• Town Promotion - Great coverage in Dorset Life magazine. Its official! Wellworths has to become this years extra tourist attraction. Next week national coverage to follow opening (this was quite simply phenomenal and way beyond everyone expectations). Town promotion meeting, we will have another stuffing of Welcome Packs session on the 10th. I have started investigating a fold out town map.
• Roundabouts - We have had a very generous offer from World Heritage (Tim) to fund and supply a Triceratops. Keir is working on this project at present, looking to get help from the contractor company which is to work on the roundabouts for the Highways Authority.
• Communication - Sent out lots of emails to businesses on various topics including Resort deal/training courses and encouragement to get into the business directory.
• Car parking - Meeting with Eugene Barns from WDDC who has agreed to supply car park data - still waiting. Discussions with WDDC consultant who is doing a big report about parking in Dorset. I stressed the very strong feelings across businesses and the public about the whole parking situation and the importance that we get POE.
• End of year report - Started report design ideas for the BID's first annual report.
• Litter bins - WDDC have no budget but trying to see if they can start the roll out process before April with a couple of new bins - More next meeting. Stop the drop team are looking to get a sample cig butt bin for us to look at with a view to help fund for distribution across town
• Deep cleaning - I am in contact with landlords of Hardye Arcade. Their representative tells me that they were considering smartening up the above eye level stuff this year and are happy to do something with DBID (we have offered to deep clean the pavement).