Residents may be aware that the Co-op has advised their staff that they intend to close and sell their store in Dorchester in the near future. This clearly raises a number of questions for us as a community, which values its shop. In response to this news, we can let you know that the Parish Council is already discussing behind the scenes with parties’ ways of keeping a store on site but at this stage it is not possible to share more details on this. We understand this still leaves uncertainty and other questions and we will share more information as and when we can. One possibility alongside the sale and the discussions we are having is to register the shop as an Asset of Community Value and we will address this and give a further update at the Annual Parish Meeting on the 13th May within the bounds of confidentiality.