THE opinions of Wimborne businesses will be key to helping shape Wimborne’s Town of Culture 2026.

That’s the message from Wimborne BID who’ve been working closely with the Town of Culture steering group for the past four months to support its successful application.

Next year, the town will deliver a programme of extraordinary cultural and community events. £30,000 will be awarded to Wimborne, and this will be match funded by Wimborne Town Council.

Town of Culture was established by Arts Development Company, and is an opportunity for a town, village or hamlet in Dorset to work together and deliver a year’s worth of extraordinary cultural activity, with support and funding from Dorset Council.

David Lockwood CEO of the Arts Development Council said: “One of the aims of Town of Culture is to attract more people into our Dorset’s towns, inviting them to spend money in local businesses.

“By shining a light on Wimborne in 2026, we expect to see not only an increase in footfall but also in the economy of the town.”

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He added: “It’s fantastic to see Wimborne’s business community supporting this initiative through Wimborne BID and working in partnership with cultural, civic and community organisations to raise the ambition and profile of the town.”

Wimborne BID will continue to be part of the steering group as work gets underway to shape the exciting programme for Town of Culture with a theme of ‘Bridging the Past and Future.’

Sam Devlin, a Wimborne BID Director and owner of independent veterinary business Vetsmiths, said: “This is a terrific opportunity for the town’s businesses.

“Wimborne BID will be the voice representing levy payer opinions and ideas with the aim of helping the project deliver opportunities that can benefit the bottom line for local businesses.”

The success of Town of Culture will be measured through several ways including monitoring visitor numbers and demographics, an economic impact assessment and community participation rates.

Mayor of Wimborne Councillor Jeff Hart, who spearheaded the Town of Culture application said: “As a strong, engaged organisation and voice for the town’s thriving mix of businesses, Wimborne BID immediately got behind the concept of Town of Culture and was instrumental in helping us secure the successful application.

“We’re looking forward to their continued and valued input as the voice for the town’s levy paying businesses.”