Please support the artists

Well, Bridport Open Studios is upon us very soon, in fact under two weeks, so all the artists here are busy getting ready. The worrying thing is that the West Dorset District Council meeting to decide whether the studio gets 'redeveloped' happens next Thursday, 20th August. So at the time when we should all be focused on showing off this brilliant venue, instead we're concerned whether we actually have a future, and distracted from continuing to develop something that has become a huge asset to the town.

We've now got the full support of Bridport Town Council, of the majority of the public, and key local figures, but the final decision still lies with the planning committee of the Dorchester based District Council. The problem is that people in Dorchester have the power to decide Bridport's fate, and yet that town is very different from Bridport.

While Bridport is rapidly growing a national reputation as a vibrant creative town with a unique bohemian atmosphere created by its diverse and eclectic community, Dorchester has now got very little to show for itself, apart from Prince Charles's widely derided 'Poundbury' housing estate on the outskirts.

The fact is that Bridport has grown mainly because it HASN'T had the interference of government, and hasn't yet been victim to those greedy 'redevelopment' and 'regeneration' projects that have ripped the heart out of most of our towns.

Bridport has become an example to the country through the initiative, imagination and enterprise of courageous individuals, rather than government guidelines and rhetoric. In fact, it's time for government to listen to the people once again, rather than attempt to push through another short-sighted building project that benefits a small group of people while destroying a bustling local economy and its supportive community.

I ask all those Councillors who have the power to decide Bridport's fate to visit the St Michael's Trading Estate, to come and meet the businesses, traders and artists. Come and look round our studio complex that provides affordable studios for 25 artists and delights hundreds of visitors at events throughout the year. Visit the designers and architects, the sign-writers, masons, carpenters, upholsterers, the sculptors, painters and illustrators. Visit the antique shops and 2nd hand stores, the local food centre that provides the local school meals, the recycling centre, the bio-diesel centre, the discount furniture centre, the indoor bike park, and the dozens of other businesses that have made this historic rope-making estate into the heart of Bridport.

I want to be an artist again, we all do, rather than having to fight to save our studios. Please show your support for our campaign by attending the Emergency Public Meeting at which the planning decision will be made. The meeting will be held at 2:15pm on Thursday the 20th August at the United Church Hall in Bridport. We would appreciate your presence. Thank you.