4th July 2012

LYME REGIS: Torch visit will ‘boost trade’

EVERY effort is being made to boost trade when the Olympic Torch Relay visits Lyme Regis on Thursday of next week (July 12th).

With the combination of austerity measures and appalling weather, Lyme is experiencing one of its worst summers for many years.

With more rain forecasted every day until the Olympic flame arrives in town, the Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman, has dispelled concerns that the council is trying to restrict the number of people expected in the town.

Councillor Holman told the View from Lyme Regis: “Nothing could be further from the truth. We are doing our utmost to encourage as many people as possible to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event and that includes welcoming as many visitors as possible.

“We have been told by the authorities to expect a big crowd, possibly bigger than on Red Arrows day, so we are doing our utmost to make sure we can accommodate safely everyone who wants to see the Olympic flame come to Lyme.”

Councillor Holman, who has been chairing an Olympic Torch Organisation Group for several months to co-ordinate the visit, pointed out that all district and town council car parks will be free for the day.

No park and ride will be operational during the day but the town council is opening the Strawberry Field for additional parking.

Ambassadors

The council is also recruiting up to 175 “Olympic Ambassadors” who will act as stewards and marshals on the day and arrangements that are being put in place to ensure that the public can see the torch pass through the town in safety are being adopted by other communities in the area.

Said the Mayor: “We are conscious that the town is having a very bad summer at the moment.

“The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations brought many people into the town and we are determined to do all we can to make sure the Olymypic Torch relay will also boost trade.

“This has certainly been the case in other host towns and I am sure Lyme will be packed.”

Councillor Holman said banners had been displayed prominently in the town centre welcoming the torch and 3,000 leaflets were being distributed in and around Lyme Regis giving all the information necessary to see the Olympic flame.

The torch is scheduled to pass through the town centre at around 3.35 pm with three torch exchange points at the junction with Pooles Court in Church Street, outside Lloyds Bank in Broad Street and at the junction of Pound Street and Cobb Road.

The torch is due to leave The Cobb at 4.05 pm by convoy and return through the town via Pound Street, Broad Street and Charmouth Road before moving on to Burton Bradstock.

LYME REGIS: Torch visit will ‘boost trade’

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