From co-ordinating help in the community and keeping services going to having to change how it functions as an organisation, Bridport Town Council believes it has ‘proved its worth’ and things are slowly getting back to normal.

One thing that has returned is the town’s market - back up and running but with a number of changes.

Only essential stalls have been allowed to operate at Bridport Market, but last week more stallholders and businesses were welcomed back.

Bridport Town Council had to temporarily drop its policy not to allow commercial activity on Bucky Doo Square and allow stalls there to ensure social distancing and to allow space for those who want to set up stalls to do it safely. Stalls were also allowed to set up on Bridport Arts Centre forecourt.

There are also banners up around the town reminding people of the need for social distancing.

Town surveyor Daryl Chambers said: “We had the first market on Saturday and will be running again every Wednesday and Saturday from now on.

“We have moved, where possible, stalls into the laybys and off the pavement to achieve social distancing for when shops open on June 15. The only area where stalls are on the pavement are the bottom of South Street where there are no shops.

“It is our intention to work closely with the shops to create an environment, socially distancing, whilst allowing the public to shop safely.

“The market is crucial to the economy of the town, but we only proceed if safe to do so for the public, shop staff and market traders.”

In response to the coronavirus crisis, the council launched the Bridport Coronavirus Community Support Helpline, working with more than 20 local organisations and community groups and supported by more than 170 volunteers.

This has received more than 1,000 calls and the council estimates that more than 1,500 have been helped with food or prescription deliveries, support and signposting. A support leaflet was delivered to 11,500 households, extending into parishes well beyond Bridport.

Town clerk Will Austin said: “It was absolutely fantastic to watch it happening and we felt really proud. We set up the helpline and coordinated meetings between all the different groups to get it going and it has proved really valuable.

“It’s a great example of how the town council can be of real benefit to the community.

“Lockdown has had quite an impact on the town council. The Tourist Information had to shut and people in the office has to work from home, so that was another telephone system we had to set up.

“The outdoor team continued, maintaining the verges and other jobs, and most of our services continued - the TIC was still working as part of our virtual arrangement and you could still call and email the town council as normal.

“We also kept our car parks - Plottingham and the football club - free for quite some time.”

Town council meetings have also continued online, banners and flags praising the efforts of the NHS and all key workers were erected on the town hall, as well as the town hall clock cycling through rainbow colours at night, and banners supporting local businesses.

No staff have been furloughed at the town council and some have returned to their base at Mountfield.

The helpline, although requests and calls have decreased, is still up and running. The number is 01308 808900.