Bridport and West Bay Coastal Community Team seeks views on Economic Plan for the area

The new Bridport and West Bay Coastal Community Team wants to hear from local businesses and community organisations on issues for an Economic Plan for the area.

Funded by the Government’s Coastal Community Team initiative, the Team includes representatives from Bridport Town Council, the Bridport Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Bridport & District Tourism Association, Bridport Local Area Partnership, Bridport Area Development Trust, West Bay Community Forum, the County Council and West Dorset District Council.

Brian Wilson, a local consultant, has been appointed to work with the Team, to produce an Economic Plan for the area, which has to be published by the end of January 2016.  Local organisations and businesses are now being invited to take part in consultation, which will help to create the Plan.

Brian said: “The Economic Plan will enable the area to apply for extra grant funding and to take actions that improve the economic prospects of Bridport and West Bay or address particular concerns. This will include, but is not restricted to, the area’s tourism and leisure economy. It will also help work on other local initiatives, such as the neighbourhood plan (called Vision 2030). The CCT is especially keen to hear from local businesses, community groups and organisations. “

Richard Smith, Chairman of the Coastal Community Team said that “this is an opportunity for businesses and local community organisations to let us know their views and help us put together an Economic Plan for our area, which will ensure that we are in a good position to identify and obtain future funding for the area”.

Two workshops (expected to last a little over one hour) are to be held, which people are welcome to attend. One will be held at the Salt House in West Bay at 11.30 am on Wednesday 25th November. The other will be held at Bridport Town Hall at 5.30 pm on Thursday 3rd December. Otherwise, people can still contribute by completing a short online survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCT-Survey-November-2015 Paper copies of the survey are also available from Mountfield and in the Bridport TIC. The survey is only six questions in length. The closing date for responses is Friday 4th December.

More information at: www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk or contact Bob Gillis, Bridport Town Council, 01308 456722 [email protected]