RESIDENTS are invited to give their views on the proposed Bridport community-hub and help shape the plans for how it might be used and possible locations.

The first of two events takes place at a pop-up café outside the Bridport Arts Centre on 25 June, from 10am to 12pm.

Dorset County Council has pledged to invest £4.7 million to improve and modernise services, and an extensive consultation earlier this year revealed that three-quarters of all respondents were in favour of a new multi-purpose community hub for day services.

Cllr Jill Haynes, Cabinet member for adult social care, said: “A huge amount of time and effort has been put into thoroughly reviewing the current and future needs of services in Bridport and surrounding area.

“We have listened to local people, and they have helped shape the options on the table. As we move onto the second stage of the consultation, we want the community to tell us what they would like the new services to deliver.”

Cllr Daryl Turner, Member for the Marshwood Vale, said “ The concept of a new multi- purpose hub, which serves the area, will provide services in a very different way. This investment will be a benefit for the whole area. We’ve had a fantastic response to our consultation to date, and I would like communities to turn out in force to determine the services they want”.

Council officers will be on hand to answer questions and talk to interested parties at the pop-up café, and a further event to gather people’s view has been organised for 2 July in the foyer at Morrison’s, from 1pm to 4pm.

Cllr Haynes added: “We are committed to investing in services in Bridport, and are urging all those who are interested to come and talk to us at one of the events.

“The comments we receive will be reflected in any further plans and considered by county councillors before they make any decisions.”

The majority of people who took part in the initial consultation earlier this year also said they greatly valued Sidney Gale residential home, but agreed it was not fit for purpose in the long run.

Many said they would like to see a more flexible residential service combined with an extra care home scheme in the future. The county council is now exploring options for working with a strategic partner to develop proposals further.