Dorchester's BID coming up for re-election

Levy payers will decide if the service will run for another term

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 16th May 2023

Ballot papers are going out next week to decide the future of Dorchester’s Business Improvement District.

Those eligible to vote should get the papers from Monday May 22nd, with a return date for the postal forms of no later than Wednesday June 28th.

A count will take place the following day.

The ballot will be decided by a majority vote and will decide if the organisation is to continue.

The area in red shows where Dorchester BID currently operates

Dorchester’s BID is one of the longest established in the county and works by businesses paying a percentage of their rateable value into the BID in return for services and initiatives which might attract people to use them.

There has been criticism of the BID in the past over whether it offers value for money and whether it has the right approach to business in an economy which has seen big changes in the way many people shop and find local services.

The BID has a business plan with much of its programme generated by consultation events, which included suggestions for more information displays and maps, improving the approaches to Dorchester; introducing free public wi-fi; more planting and greenery; creating new jobs; a Dorchester app; support for youth organisations and a radio-link for quickly passing information.

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