A NEW business group could rake in extra funds for Lyme Regis.

The town’s business community turned out in force to show support for the newly-formed commerce group.

Hopes are high that the high priority issues of parking and traffic flow could now be better tackled in future thanks to the town working together.

Business owners and traders turned out to for the first meeting of the Lyme Regis Business Group at the Pilot Boat Inn, which aims to promote the economic wellbeing of the town.

A committee was elected to run the group from a wide range of areas in local business, with members representing the town's hotel and restaurant association, trader organisations and service community. Councillor George Symonds, who attended the meeting, said there are potential benefits to the town of forming a properly constituted business group.

He said: “This is an umbrella group which will represent all traders, businesses and groups through the board.

“It was a very positive meeting and very encouraging to see so many people there. “We really want the town to understand the importance of the group to everyone who has a business here - not just retailers, restaurant owners and those involved in tourism.

“The group's aim is to promote the economic well being of the town for everyone - particularly our year round residents - so it's great to see representatives from the service sector and trades supporting the initiative.”

Members discussed ideas for future opportunities to improve economic activity in the town, including encouraging more out of season visitors, encouraging local residents to increase their support for local businesses and improvements to car parking and traffic flow in the town.

Trevor Hedger, economic regeneration officer for West Dorset Council, said: “It was very positive for the potential of the group to secure funding on behalf of the town as it seeks to develop opportunities to enhance the town’s commercial activities. “West Dorset is always willing to support funding applications from local business groups, provided they can demonstrate that they are being run on a formal and correctly constituted level. “The meeting clearly demonstrated that business owners in Lyme Regis are committed to this objective and I look forward to following and supporting their progress.”

All business owners are invited to attend the next meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, July 31 at 6pm at Lyme Regis Power Boat Club. For more information call Tony Colston on 07770 275641 or email .lymeregisbg@gmail.com