LYME traders have banded together to resurrect a group with a vow to work together to beat the recession and raise the profile of the town.

The meeting to set up the newly rejuvenated group saw the Guildhall full to capacity and an enthusiasm to co-operate.

The chairman is to be Tony Colston of By the Bay Restaurant with Justin Tunstall from Lyme’s Cheesemonger as vice chairman and Richard Doney from the Town Mill as secretary.

Lyme Regis Town Councillor Rikey Austin, who runs Alice’s Bear Shop in Bridge Street, said they were going to contact every trader in the town to find out what their priorities are and what they want to see happen in the town.

She said: “We are rejuvenating and re-launching Lyme Regis Traders because it has done some great things in the past.

“We are asking all traders to send in what they think is important that we look at so we can see what people’s priorities are.

“That gives us a mandate. The council cares about getting this right and we want to take the expertise and knowledge that is out there and this is a great way to do it.”

The next meeting of the traders will be on February 1.