Sad Day - A Message from the Mayor

The huge fire which destroyed the Gorge Cafe has left me shocked and saddened,

My heart goes out to the staff, owners and residents of all the properties in this part of town,

My grateful thanks and admiration go to the emergency services, especially the fire and rescue service, whose prompt and appropriate actions helped save more of the terrace of shops and dwellings from more serious harm. I am grateful that no people were seriously hurt, but I do share great concern for those who depend on the shops and residences here.

My thanks also go to all residents and visitors to Dorchester for their forbearance at the necessity for road closures around the devastation of the Gorge. It will clearly be some time before the safety of buildings alongside the fire site can be accurately assessed, but I know that all possible efforts will be made to get this part of South Street back in action as soon as safety allows.

Again, my thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible fire, and my thanks are with all those who saved it from being worse.

Robin Potter, Mayor of Dorchester

Trading Opportunity - Catering Kiosk

The Town Council is looking for a new operator of the refreshments kiosk in Borough Gardens from 2025 onwards. 

If you're interested then please contact tonyhurley@dorchester-tc.gov.uk or phone for more information.  

The deadline for applications is midday on 16th December 2024.

Cost of Living Help and Warm Spaces

Information regarding what cost of living help is available can be found here.

Further cost of living advice, with useful links to help access food, financial and housing advice can be found on the Dorset Council website here.

A Dorchester guide to homelessness and community support can be found here.

A list of warm spaces, where you can be assured of a warm and friendly welcome, can be found here.

Dorchester Town Council

We are the parish authority for the county town of Dorset.  There has been a history of local government in the town since Anglo Saxon times and Dorchester has been the county town since 1305.  It has elected a mayor since 1629.  The Town Council was created in 1974.

The town has a population of around 20,000, which continues to grow quickly with the expansion of Dorchester at Poundbury and Brewery Square.  The Town Council provides a range of community and recreational facilities, and promotes the town's interests with the other statutory bodies that operate in the town, notably the Dorset Council.

The Town Council has 20 members in five wards, elected for a period of 5 years.  Elections to the Town Council took place on 2 May 2024 and the results can be found here.

Mayor of Dorchester

Councillor Robin Potter will serve as Mayor for the Council year to 19 May 2025. Robin will be supported by the Mayoress, Val Potter, and Councillor Janet Hewitt as Deputy Mayor.  

Each year the Mayor of Dorchester chooses a charitiy / charities to promote and raise funds for. This year Robin has chosen Dorchester Family Support, which helps support families on low incomes - particularly with free school meal support in holidays and hampers around Christmas time. More information about the cause can be found at www.dorchesterfamilysupport.co.uk