Dorchester market and car boot sale both in surplus after management change
Markets panel hears changes have been well received
Dorchester's weekly stall market and Sunday car boot sale are both returning a surplus since a change of management, a markets panel meeting has heard.
Changes to the market have been welcomed by shoppers and traders, according to the panel's chair, Cllr Molly Rennie.
She told the October meeting: "People are now full of praise for the market…it's been good to hear the compliments"
Panel member Cllr Roland Tarr backed her view and said he had also been hearing positive comments.
"It's very encouraging to hear that people are happy," he said.
Surplus since the takeover
The feedback comes after Dorchester Town Council took over management of the Wednesday market at the start of the financial year from Wimborne-based Ensors.
The town council also now runs the weekly Sunday car boot sales.
The meeting heard that both have returned a surplus since the takeover.
The Wednesday market currently has a positive balance of more than £19,000, while the car boot sale is above £15,800.
Town records show Thomas Ensor established the modern weekly market around 1860, and may have been involved up to a decade earlier.
Busy despite the rain
Markets officer Daryl Chambers told the meeting that this week's market, on Wednesday 7th October, was very busy despite heavy rain.
He said it was helped by the arrival of four tourist coaches.
Operations were affected by several holes in the market area, which were dug in the search for an underground leak.
Mr Chambers said the leak has now been found and repaired.
He said he had recently visited other local markets and found just one stall at Blandford and two at Poole.
Dorchester continues to be busy with dozens of stalls each week, including new traders, he said.
Plans for the market area
Cllr Rennie said the town council is pressing ahead with proposals to improve the market area with local architects Crickmays.
A Masterplan is expected to be ready before the end of the year.
She said solar panels are being considered for the roof of the covered market.
More efficient ways of dealing with waste are also being explored.
Cllr Rennie said a push on recycling has cut the amount of items being thrown away by around 50 per cent.