BUSINESSES in Weymouth will have an opportunity to share and discuss issues and information that affect their companies.

The Weymouth BID is hosting a Multiple Business Forum at Debenhams between 10am and 11.30am tomorrow (Wednesday).

The forum is being championed by Marks & Spencer and other partners as part of the Healthy High Streets programme which Weymouth was successful in becoming a part of in 2015.

The Healthy High Street Forum’s original partners have met on a few occasions and through discussion have formed a view that the Weymouth’s multiple retailers need a forum that focuses on issues and information that are more specific to multiples.

Whilst many issues face all businesses trading in town centres and high streets, data on how the town is performing against other areas through footfall and activity can help support shops' own data.

In addition, providing information on activity and events in the town, particularly at seasonal trading periods, will help support decisions on opening hours and potential promotions by stores to complement activity in the town to encourage footfall.

The ultimate aim of the BID is to help increase footfall and trade within Weymouth town for all.

The forum will be lead by Healthy High Street Parters and supported by Weymouth BID.

The Healthy High Street group is currently composed of Marks & Spencer, Boots, Wilko, Santander and a co-ordinator from Healthy High Streets, Pete Valance.

Pete Valance is seconded from the Co-op to help support the programme both for Weymouth and other towns in the scheme.

Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID manager said: "Whilst there are other organisations in the town that have aims to improve trade, this is the only specific forum focusing on multiple retailers in Weymouth and it is hoped could become a very useful forum in Weymouth. The intention is to only have four meetings a year with much of the information and requested feedback to be provided online."