HIGH streets in Weymouth could thrive under new measures that aim to help breathe new life into communities across the country and grow local businesses.

From April 15 shops and other retailers will be able to install 'click and collect' lockers, without planning permission, that aim to see high streets better equipped to meet the needs of their customers.

The lockers allow customers to shop online and then pick up their products at handy central locations.

Manager at Weymouth BID, Nigel Reed fully supported the new measures and felt that could bring great benefits to Weymouth.

He said: "The BID has actually been looking at this as a potential for the town.

"We think it's a great idea. The high street is changing and this sort of thing is the way it is all going.

"Although we have a few empty shops, Weymouth still does well, even out of peak season, but anything like this is always helpful to the high street. It will help bring more business to existing stores and could even see new stores in the town centre.

"There is a lot of competition and we can see this as one of those ways of combating that."

The new measures are part of a wider package to support the Great British High Street and aim to encourage more shoppers to their high streets, enabling them to visit more shops to collect their online purchases.

The study will be led by Google’s UK sales director, Peter Fitzgerald, and will look at the technology, training, advice, skills and infrastructure that smaller traders need to adapt to the new way people shop and use their town centres.

High streets minister, Penny Mordaunt said: "We know digital is the way forward for our high streets and initiatives like the Digital Index will help traders and businesses to compete more effectively.

"I am delighted these industry experts will take forward this work and am sure their advice, training, expertise and support will allow local retailers to reach their full potential.

"High streets contribute billions of pounds to the economy and the Government is committed to supporting them as part of our long-term economic plan to create jobs and boost local communities."