A blow to the high street - and other top business news from Dorset and Hampshire

A blow to the high street - and other top business news from Dorset and Hampshire

Poole is a town where a lot has been done to revive retail.

Some independent businesses have flourished at the recently-pedestrianised Quay end of the High Street. And a bold new approach from landlord Legal & General has encouraged start-ups into the once run-down Kingland shopping parade. All this even caught the eye of the New York Times earlier this year.

So it's a sad blow for town that Marks & Spencer is to close its branch there, potentially leaving a large space empty in its Dolphin Shopping Centre. My colleague Ben Williets broke the news and gathered reaction about what this means for the town centre.


Other top stories this week

  • Plans for a hotel which could create 70 jobs on the former site of the Ordnance Survey have been approved. (Report by Maria Zaccaro)
  • It was a pleasure to report the appointment of Peter Taylor as president of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce. Those who know him will be aware of his dedication to being a "servant leader", listening and empathising, as well as speaking up for the county and its potential.
  • A new chair is being sought for the Solent Freeport project which supporters hope could generate thousands of jobs.
  • Opportunities worth more than £1bn will be on offer at VFS21: Festival of Innovation next week.
  • While the economy is recovering, there are signs that the recovery is losing momentum, with the growth in new orders slowing, according to data from NatWest.
  • Administrators have been appointed in the case of Southampton's Igloo Energy Supply, one of the growing number of suppliers to cease trading in the current crisis.
  • Footfall in Southampton improved this summer as Covid restrictions eased. (Report by Timothy Edgley.)
  • Hampshire was revealed to be one of the most migrated-to places in the UK - with Eastleigh the most popular destination.
  • One of those new Poole businesses I mentioned above is a cocktail bar whose owners say support has poured in. (Story by Ben Williets.)
  • A food, drink and entertainment venue on Bournemouth seafront has been candid about the fact that it has "far from recovered", despite a strong late summer, as it announced its new season of events.
  • Dorset solicitors are celebrating their inclusion in the Legal 500 guide.
  • Directors thinking of closing their businesses and taking out the money have been urged to consider it soon amid speculation that the chancellor might scrap the tax relief that applies at the moment.
  • Here's one of the thorniest issues of our times: How far should employers go to encourage their staff to be vaccinated against Covid? We gathered expert responses in Dorset and Hampshire.
  • And the two sisters behind a holiday parks business have told of their experience - and how they were thrust into the firm early after the death of their father - for a family-themed business podcast.


Traders of the Week

Our Trader of the Week in the Southern Daily Echo was a family-run Indian restaurant which has celebrated its 40th birthday, while in the Daily Echo Bournemouth we highlighted a railway station coffee business that starts people's day with a smile.

If you'd like to nominate a Trader of the Week, Lorelei Reddin ([email protected]) takes care of it for the Southern Daily Echo and I handle it in the Daily Echo Bournemouth.


Someone else's story

This week's choice of someone else's content is this fantastic video about the history of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and about the work it does in the community.

Mark Kiteley of Rawlins Davy solicitors, which commissioned the film, put it well when he said that the story of the orchestra is not only about excellence but about engagement. From children to elderly people with Alzheimers, the orchestra's outreach work happens across the communities it serves.


Do you Tik-Tok?

Tik-Tok is much talked about after it experienced huge growth. But is it a good place to direct your business marketing?

The latest guide from LOCALiQ, the digital marketing arm of our publisher Newsquest, looked at the latest and coolest social media platform.


Signing off

That does it for this week's round-up - and always, thanks to those who help make it possible thanks to their subscriptions to the?Southern Daily Echo, the?Daily Echo Bournemouth?or the?Dorset Echo.

We appreciate it.






Mick Betteridge MBE QGM

Business Coaching and Mentoring for Executives, Business Owners and Senior Management Teams

3 年

It's a sad reflection on the state of Poole high street, once a buzzing centre but let down badly by underinvestment and support for development by BCP Council.

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Ron Wain - Deep South Media ??

Managing Director of Deep South Media [DSM], the UK specialist in press office services, multimedia content and training for companies and organisations. DSM is in its 26th year.

3 年

Superb video of the BSO - high production value.

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Lee Taylor

Humanising marketing | Helping business leaders drive change, find their voice and grow their business | Advising the advisers.

3 年

Thank you for the very kind coverage, Darren. We're so proud of our Legal 500 rankings, as I'm sure many lawyers around the UK are. Whilst some people outside of the legal profession may think “so what?” - let me just give you a little glimpse of what it means behind the scenes. These rankings are a moment to savour for all of our hard-working teams because they are recognised amongst their peers for something that they care so passionately about. Their clients. What some people may not see are the very late/sleepless nights and early mornings and weekend work, going the extra mile (well, just because), the emotion, passion and commitment to getting the job done, the shared kind-heartedness, the support and hand-holding at difficult times. Having worked with the amazing folks at Steele Raymond for over six years now, these awards aren't just a small recognition exclusively for lawyers. They are for every single one of the 80+ team members that make a huge difference in people’s lives. Every. Single. Day.

Peter Taylor

Senior Partner at Paris Smith LLP, Commercial Mediator; non executive director, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce;

3 年

Thank you for your tremendously valuable weekly update as ever, Darren Slade. A special and very heartfelt thank you for the generous way in which you have shared the news of my new role at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce We live and work in a wonderful part of the country. We are both ambassadors and advocates for it, as well as custodians to hand it on to future generations in a way that they can thrive and enjoy it. In the words of James Kerr who wrote the leadership book “Legacy” which applies the ethics of the All Blacks rugby team to business, we should all leave the “shirt” in a better condition than when we first put it on. Together we can, will and must make a difference for our grandchildren and great grandchildren and beyond. #unlockingpotential #levellingup #Hampshire

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