A town centre 'health check' has shown a reduction in the number of retail premises in Bridport, and an increasing number of empty shops.

Bridport Town Council, with the help and support of the Chamber of Trade, has been carrying out the health check this summer to gather evidence on how the town centre is performing and where improvements will be needed to adjust to the fast-moving world of high street retail.

A survey of services and products available in the town centre was conducted in July 2023, showing an increasing number of empty shops or businesses moving out of the town centre.

The health check was one of the actions identified in the Bridport Area Neighbourhood Plan 2020-2036, which recognised Bridport's retail and cultural diversity as critical elements for the future viability of the local economy, as well as underpinning the quality of life for residents.

Town centre health checks are a means of assessing the vitality, viability, resilience and performance of town centres over time. The results of a health check exercises will be used to formulate strategies for improvements and inform policy documents.

Have your say in 2023

Pedestrian and car park surveys will continue to take take place across the town centre into October 2023.

Alongside street surveys, there are two online questionnaires to collect feedback about Bridport from town retailers and from resident and visitors.

The online questionnaires will be open throughout the summer and all fully completed survey forms submitted by the closing date of October 17 will be entered into a prize draw with a range of prizes provided by Bridport Tourist Information Centre.

Retailer Questionnaire – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/OFZQFN/

 Shopper Questionnaire – https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/WNW4GF/

Hard copy questionnaires are also available from the town council offices at Mountfield, Rax Lane, and the Tourist Information Centre. 

All data collected from the 2023 health check will be held by the town council and made available to partners to inform town centre initiatives, development proposals and reviews of the neighbourhood plan.

For more information visit https://www.bridport-tc.gov.uk/healthcheck/