BUSINESSES taking part in a parking refund scheme in Dorchester will now be getting something back.

A year ago the Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District) launched a scheme whereby shoppers using town car parks would get £1 back if they spent a certain amount in participating stores, normally £10.

Now the scheme is entering a new stage as West Dorset District Council stepped in to support the initiative.

The district council and Dorchester BID will each reimburse companies involved in the scheme £1 for every five customers taking part in the moneyback scheme.

Project director for the BID Phil Gordon said he hoped to see more stores in the county town join the dozens of traders already signed up to the voucher scheme.

He said: “I very much hope this will encourage a new raft of shops and businesses to join the scheme to make it an even bigger list of people supporting it.

“I think we have a unique offering in Dorchester with this scheme given the fact that you can come shopping any day of the week and park free all day as long as you keep spending money in the shops.

“I think that should hopefully be very well received in view of the economic times where every penny counts.”

Mr Gordon said the voucher scheme, which has been supported by the Chamber of Commerce, was also now available for on-street parking run by Dorset County Council and has proved successful over the first year.

He said: “The town of Dorchester is very much open for businesses and we are offering a huge incentive to visitors and shoppers alike by presenting them with an opportunity for free parking.”

Director of Goulds department store Beki Murphy said her store had refunded more than 3,000 customers since the voucher scheme had been introduced.

She said: “It’s certainly been of value to us and the customers have appreciated it.

“It’s a great initiative and there is so much interesting shopping for people in Dorchester that we need to encourage customers to explore our independent stores.

“This gives them an opportunity to do so.”

Kirsty Evans, owner of Great Western Camping in High East Street, welcomed the council and BID’s offer and said customers appreciated the voucher scheme.

She said: “More companies will probably join it now.

“It’s definitely good for the customers as they are always glad to get their parking free.”

It is also a year since West Dorset District Council introduced free parking on Sundays and overnight in its Dorchester car parks.

The county council has also now introduced the scheme to on-street parking in the town centre.

Mr Gordon said the move had been well received by people visiting the town.

WDCC view WEST Dorset District Council says its support of the parking voucher scheme demonstrates its ongoing commitment to support local businesses.

Council leader Robert Gould said: “The district council is committed to supporting local businesses, particularly during these tough economic times, and we recognise that parking plays a large role in this.

“This recent initiative aims to help businesses in Dorchester participating in the ‘P Free’ scheme and we are pleased to be working alongside Dorchester BID and the Chamber of Commerce to help make parking in Dorchester more affordable for shoppers, visitors, workers and local residents.

“As well as freezing our short stay parking charges for the past six years we have also introduced free parking on Sundays and after 6pm – all to help make sure district council car parks remain attractive and affordable to shoppers and visitors to towns across West Dorset.”