A NEW initiative to recognise and reward independent shops in Dorchester has been launched.

The Dorchester Independent Retail Awards have been launched in a bid to recognise the businesses that are “extremely important” to the county town’s local economy.

Organised by independent retail experts Spotcheckers and in conjunction with Dorchester Chamber of Commerce (DCC) and the Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID), the awards were officially launched yesterday.

Already, 10 businesses have signed up and organisers are now calling on other local businesses to get involved.

David Upshall, from DCC, said: “We are part funding the initiative together with the BID and we are very excited.

“We see this as an important opportunity to recognise and support the independent retailers of Dorchester, who contribute such a lot on a day to day basis and are extremely important to the local economy of Dorchester.”

Lucy Bowden, from DCC, added: “Hopefully this will be the first of many events of its kind and we can keep it going for years to come.”

There are a total of 11 awards are up for grabs from the shops, including Best Customer Service Award, Best Window Display Award, Best Use of Social Media and Website, Best Newcomer, Best Individual Member of Staff and Overall Winner.

The event is also being supported by David Upshall, Humphries and Kirk solicitors and Kingston Maurward College.

The deadline for entries is January 31, and after the businesses are shortlisted by Spotcheckers, a judging panel including local business leaders will be formed and a “mystery shopping” judging process will begin.

The winners of the awards will be crowned at a glitzy ceremony held at Kingston Maurward College on March 20, and the winners will be presented with their awards by Downton Abbey creator Lord Fellowes of West Stafford.

John Fiori, from Dorchester BID, said: “The BID welcomes this initiative in conjunction with the chamber and we hope that the levy payers of Dorchester Bid will take on the idea of the awards and we hope they will all be successful.”