The flat above Fatface in South Street, Dorchester. Picture: Google Maps THE loss of a flat above a Dorchester South Street shop has been criticised by town councillors. They say the proposal to block up a staircase at the Fat Face shop, with the resulting loss of a flat, is a backward step which they will formally object to. Cllr Ralph Ricardo said: We should oppose this as strongly as we can. We have seen High West and High East Street businesses converted to residential use, but this is going the wrong way. The application, for 14 South Street, asks for permission to remove an internal staircase with the change of use from a flat to a void .
TOWN councillors in Dorchester have agreed to a £500 grant to help set up the town’s first community fridge project. It will be based in the foyer of the Trinity Street Co-Op offering free surplus food, with a similar project also planned for Poundbury. Most of the food for the fridge will come from the Co-Op with other food businesses also being encouraged to contribute. Cllr Les Fry and Cllr Janet Hewitt both welcomed the project at Monday’s town council management committee but questioned some of the initial costs, which Cllr Fry pointed out amount to £7,500 for the first year.