Thousands of pounds of radio promotion and digital advertising for the Dorset business community is being made available free of charge in a new partnership between Wessex FM and Dorset Council.
All businesses in the Dorset Council area that have recently reopened (or are about to) are invited to take part in the initiative. This promotion is part of the ‘Stay Local, Shop Local’ campaign and aims to provide support and revitalise the economy on Dorset’s high streets in the wake of the coronavirus crisis by demonstrating how local businesses are keeping customers safe.
Initiative funded by the ERDF and HM Government
Businesses can let Dorset residents know they’re open and ready to welcome customers back by simply submitting their details to the new website, free of charge. The new micro site is linked to the Wessex FM website and sponsored by Dorset Council. Wessex FM radio presenters will give a shout out on-air to different businesses each day, highlighting offers, opening dates and any other appropriate information.
Dorset Council is working hard to support local businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are excited to partner with Wessex FM to offer local businesses in the Dorset Council area a great marketing opportunity free of charge.
Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Skills, said: “This offer of free promotional support to local businesses with the help of Wessex FM further underlines our commitment to supporting the Dorset economy during this challenging time. Dorset Council is also working closely with town and parish councils, the BIDs and local businesses to ensure our town centres are safe and welcoming for shoppers.”
The offer
It’s completely free for businesses within the Dorset Council area to feature on the website with a logo, image, brief description and link to the businesses’ own website or social media page. Businesses are invited to create a profile on www.wessexfm.com/listings/shop-local/ which takes just a few minutes to complete.
Wessex FM will let their listeners know that reopening local business details are listed on-air and on its Facebook and Twitter pages. Businesses registered on the site are in with the chance to be mentioned on-air by presenters on Wessex FM throughout the day for six-weeks.
This promotion offers businesses in Dorset the chance to advertise for free on a trusted local radio station website, with the opportunity to feature on-air and reach thousands of people across the county.
What you need to know
Apply online to be included for free in the new ‘Stay Local, Shop Local’ web directory. Wessex FM will randomly select businesses each day to mention on air. To qualify, you must be a business owner with premises in the Dorset Council area.
I am looking for a shout out for new traineeships in the Weymouth, Dorchester and Portland areas. We are a local company called Whitehead Education and Consulting (WREC) based in Poundbury.
The Traineeships are targetted at 19-24yr old who are out of education, employment and training.
It will consist of key skills in English and Maths for those who haven’t yet achieved the basics and also employability skill for everyone.
The work placement will run over approximately 6 months ( 70hrs) and we can help the young person find this placement.
We are also looking for businesses to take on these trainees and we can offer them an incentive of £1000 for each student.
It would be great to talk to you further about this if possible. But meantime a shout out would be great.
We are starting enrolments next week but it is an ongoing rolling program so students can start at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you