VISITORS and residents will be able to find their way around Wimborne more easily thanks to new signs, which are being unveiled this month.

Wimborne BID has been working for a number of years on a new signage strategy for the town.

The Wayfinding Project is part of the group’s business plan commitment to co-ordinate and improve signage around the town for the benefit of visitors and to help raise the profile of town firms.

This month, 13 distinctive fingerpost and freestanding signs will be erected around the town, including a business list for West Borough, West Street, another for Mill Lane, Church Street and the Corn Market, a tourist information board in Wimborne Square, information and a map in Cook Row outside the Minster church, a large welcome sign and a business listing at Riverside Business Park.

Fiona Harwood, Wimborne BID chair, said: “The installation of 13 new major signs in the town has demanded a huge amount of co-ordination in terms of traffic management equipment and labour.

“It’s taken almost seven years to get here, with an initial consultation in 2017 with community groups, local authorities and businesses to ensure we deliver what is right for the town.

“Working alongside national branding and signage experts Design JD, we have worked hard to get the design of these maps and other wayfinding tools just right to make them look attractive as well as informative.

“The aim is to encourage people to explore more of the town to support more businesses.”

The Wayfinding Project has been funded by Wimborne BID and to keep the information as up to date as possible, all maps and listings will be reviewed every six months and changed if necessary.

Alongside the permanent signs, Wimborne BID has also produced a visitor map in partnership with Minster Press, on which businesses have an opportunity to advertise.

During special events earlier this year such as Discover Wimborne and The Battle for Wimborne, huge Toblerone-shaped signs were installed at key sites in the town to signpost people and provide listings billboards.

Fiona added: “It’s really important for businesses that visitors and locals are able to find out easily what is going on in the town and to discover the array of brilliant businesses we are lucky enough to have here in Wimborne.”