BUSINESSES in Poundbury have been put on the map in an initiative by local traders.

The business community at the development has come together to create the Discover Poundbury guide to help customers find the location of 65 shops, offices and other businesses.

The idea of a business map came from Jessie Copper, who runs the Poundbury Florist in Lydgate Street.

She said: “All of us with businesses on Poundbury have become used to people coming through the door and asking us where they can find so and so.

“It seemed sensible to produce a map which we can give out to people rather than just trying to provide them with directions each time.”

Poundbury was designed as a mix development, with shops and businesses spread throughout rather than in a concentrated specific area.

However, that has meant people have sometimes struggled to find the business they are looking for but it is hoped the guide – which was launched at the Burraton House Conference Centre this week – will solve that problem.

Jessie said: “There are a lot of businesses now operating in Poundbury, and because of the nature of the area it is never going to be straightforward for people to find them without a guide – which is why we have now produced one.

“Hopefully, fewer people will now get lost!”

Pauline Lyon-Shaw, of Shaw Fitch Accountants in Peverell Avenue West, said: “I think it’s a very good idea as there are so many businesses spread out across Poundbury and it’s about getting everyone to know exactly where they all are.

“It is a useful tool to be able to give to people and to advertise all the businesses.

“Being the sort of estate it is there are lots of nooks and crannies and businesses tucked away and unless you are on one of the main roads through people don’t actually know what sort of businesses are there.

“There is a tremendously wide range of businesses.”

Each of the businesses that feature on the map has contributed to the cost of producing it, with CG Fry & Son, Morrish Builders and Elder & Froy also providing sponsorship.

Copies of the map, which will be updated every six months to feature new businesses, are now available from all the contributing businesses on Poundbury.

The map can be also be found online at www.discoverpoundbury.co.uk