History of Dorchester

In 2008 the Dorchester BID, a business improvement district, was set up to promote the town and improve the trading environment for town centre businesses. Local traders were overwhelmingly in favour of the decision, with 84% voting in favour at the February 2008 ballot.

In May 2009, a skatepark was opened in Dorchester after 12 years of planning and construction.

The catchment population for major food retail outlets in Dorchester is 38,500 (2001 estimate) and extends eight miles west, north and east of the town, and two miles south. The Brewery Square development is planned to include retail outlets, residential units, bars, restaurants and cultural facilities. The regeneration of Dorchester South station will make it the UK's first solar powered rail station. The Charles Street development will include 23 shops, an underground car park, hotel, affordable housing, a library and adult education centre for Dorset County Council, and offices for West Dorset District Council. It is predicted to create 660 new jobs (not including jobs within the council).

A leisure centre and swimming pool on Coburg Road replaced the Thomas Hardye School Leisure Centre in 2012, at a cost of more than £8 million