I felt it important to clarify a point with regard to the recently-launched Dorchester parking initiatives.

This gives free car park parking from 6pm until 8am and all day Sundays.

There is also the new parking voucher scheme that can get you up to two hours free parking in Dorchester car parks any time (with a qualifying purchase in shops that are in the scheme).

The scheme is currently only supported by West Dorset District Council (WDDC)-run car parks and not yet supported by Dorset County Council (DCC), the body that runs on-street parking.

All the publicity and advertising clearly stated that it was for the WDDC-run car parks, but I am sure some people are still unaware that a different council runs the on-street parking meters and they have not as yet joined in with this well received local economy-boosting initiative.

Both the Dorchester BID and the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce have been in talks with DCC who have indicated that they will consider joining in both schemes, but as yet I have not had confirmation as to when this could happen.

These two parking ideas are, I believe, exactly what the doctor ordered for both the business community and shoppers alike in the current economic climate.

I hope that we will soon be able to include DCC in the program with their on-street meter parking.

Until that time I must please warn everyone not to park on-street without buying a ticket (even in the middle of the night!) as you will definitely end up with an expensive fine.

It may be better to walk a few extra metres and park for free at the appropriate times in WDDC’s car parks across town.

I also want to draw attention to the fact that some of the WDDC car parks are not yet loaded with the DBID-designed parking vouchers due to contractual obligations but most participating shops are still honouring them as valid parking vouchers as long as they are dated correctly.

Phil Gordon, Director of Projects, The Dorchester Business Improvement District