Local people are being urged to support businesses in Wimborne during this the second lockdown.

Wimborne BID manager, Tammy Sleet, said, “We’ve seen the local community really come together for each other and for our businesses. This lockdown is a little different as cafes and restaurants can offer takeaway and other shops can offer click and collect. We would really urge people to support local businesses, as they have been doing all year, and check if they are open. Perhaps get the occasional takeaway coffee while out on your exercise or make a point of looking at local click and collect services for your Christmas gifts.”

She added that the business community in Wimborne had really come through for residents this year, with independent traders being able to supply essential products where they were not available from supermarkets. Many of these businesses started offering delivery services to their most vulnerable customers and would also check in on them. Staff members from closed businesses were giving their time to volunteer and local food and drink businesses donated food for vulnerable people. Café at the Allendale became a hub for meals to be prepared and delivered by volunteers. They also took on the deliveries for local Shopappy customers.

“Shopappy is a digital shop window for Wimborne,” Tammy explained. “People can shop at any of the businesses listed and check out at once. Businesses can either arrange delivery or click and collect themselves, or use our delivery partner at the café.” Shopappy is free for Wimborne businesses to use through Wimborne BID.

“We just want to give every business the best chance to engage with customers.”

BID chairman, Martin Pate, said, “The news of a second lockdown is a huge concern to the Board of Directors of Wimborne BID, particularly coming at such an important trading time.

“The BID was established to support businesses through challenging times and we have never seen times as challenging as this. As a Board, we continue to meet weekly and discuss daily how we can help businesses at this time.

“Wimborne has a strong business community and we will get through this together. “The BID remains here to give businesses information, support and representation. If there’s anything at all we can do to help, I would ask businesses to get in touch with any of the team.”