Business news

The BV magazine, July ‘22 BUSINESS NEWS

It’s a bad new world ...

Business owners face crushing costs on all sides, says CEO Ian Girling, as Dorset Chamber works to help where it can and lobby where it should

A warm welcome to my September column and I hope you’ve had a good summer. It’s clearly a very challenging time for both households and businesses as we all continue to face significant cost-of-living increases as well as soaring energy costs. Recent statistics are worrying:

• Inflation is at a 40 year high at over 10 per cent now and forecast to be at over 13 per cent in October. Some are predicting this could more than double next year. • The latest increase of 1.75 per cent is the largest interest rate rise in 27 years and the rate is expected to increase further yet. • We are seeing energy costs increase five-fold for some businesses – and households are also facing substantial cost increases. • UK real pay has fallen by 3 per cent between April and June, the largest drop ever recorded – businesses are facing huge upward wage pressure. • Insolvencies are on the increase, up by 63 per cent in the manufacturing sector since last year, and 60 per cent among UK restaurants.

As a Chamber, we continue to do our best for our members and Dorset businesses. Through our membership of the British Chambers of Commerce, at a national level were are pushing for increased support to include emergency energy grants for businesses, giving Ofgem further powers to strengthen regulation of the energy market for businesses, a temporary cut in VAT to 5 per cent to reduce energy costs for businesses and for the Government to temporarily reverse National Insurance contributions and put money back into the pockets of businesses and workers.

Help with resilience

We are also launching a new programme for businesses – a series of themed virtual workshops, free to attend, aimed at building the resilience of businesses. Our aim, as always, is to do our very best to support Dorset businesses. I am very keen to hear how Dorset business are faring in the current climate. I’d like to hear about your specific concerns – and to see where we can help, whether through our lobbying or business support. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we will do our best to help.

Contact the Chamber on 01202 71800 or you can message Ian via LinkedIn here

The BV magazine, September ‘22 BUSINESS NEWS

It’s a new look for CC of Wimborne - the town’s only independent ladies boutique

It’s never too late to reinvent your look; and that’s just what Classy Collections of Wimborne has done. After nearly 30 years in business, the award-winning, independent womenswear boutique has relaunched. In the heart of Wimborne Minster – and now renamed CC of Wimborne – the shop has enjoyed a complete makeover inside and out. It has rebranded, revamped and has a whole new offering of sought-after designer labels that women of all ages are loving. Collections include Canadian designer Joseph Ribkoff, Marble, Just White, Toni and Rabe Moden. Whether you’re looking for trendy jeans or classic cut trousers, fashionable coats and winter wrap-overs, jumpers, shirts, a party look or relaxed loungewear – inspiration can now be found under one stylish roof.

Marble jumpers to Sloggi bras

Joseph Ribkoff is a Canadian designer known for fabulous fit and individuality. Dress it up one day for a wedding, wear it to a lunch another day. Even better, most items are crease-free. No ironing and so easy to pack! Marble and Rabe Moden offer smart/casual jumpers, trousers, gilets, dresses and tops while Just White brings a quirky mix of stylish shirts perfect for jazzing up your look. Orientique is an Australian ecoconscious label offering colourful organic cotton dresses and coverups perfect for beach to bar. Some are reversible – so you get two dresses for the price of one! With the long, hot summer this year, this cool and easy-to-wear collection sold out, but is being restocked with the latest new colours and styles for spring/ summer 2023. Excitingly, CC of Wimborne are expanding the holiday collection nexty year by introducing leading swimwear brand Triumph with a stunning choice of swimsuits and coordinated cover-ups. A range of flattering bras and pants from leading designers Sloggi and Triumph means you can easily shape up your underwear too.

Still moving forwards

Owner Nicola Sheppard launched the business in 1993 and still works in the shop nearly every day. She says: ‘Fashion is in my blood – I’m passionate about this business and I love helping a woman find what’s right for her. You just can’t get that one-to-one service when you shop online.’ Nicola and her team offer a personal shopping experience, and pride themselves on being friendly, honest and unpressurised. ‘We don’t do age-appropriate dressing here. We do age-less, helping every customer to find their individual style. Your clothes should reflect your personality and lifestyle.’ explains Nicola. She adds: ‘We plan to celebrate 30 years in business with lots of special events for customers – it’s a true milestone in retail. When I opened the boutique, there were seven other independent clothes shops in the town – three in this street! I’m the only one still here and I’m still moving forward with new ideas to grow the business! That’s something to celebrate!’

CC of Wimborne is at 11 East Street, Wimborne BH21 1DS. Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Visit classycollections.info

The BV magazine, September ‘22

BUSINESS NEWS

Expert panel at free land seminar

In their first land event since the pandemic, DOMVS estate agents will host an informative land seminar on Thursday 22nd September - an event that, preCOVID, was always well attended by local residents. Free to attend and open to the public, the panel of six expert speakers will provide invaluable information to landowners who want to realise development potential for their sites. The event, which will be held at The Crown Hotel in Blandford Forum, starts at 8.30am and will finish at 11am. Polly Greenway, CEO of DOMVS will be joined by Simon Hoare, Conservative MP for North Dorset, Emma Stainwright from Steele Raymond Solicitors, Stephen Johnson from Williams Lester Architects, Peter Cattermole from CB Reid Accountants, Brett Spiller from Chapman Lily Planning and Neil Greenway, who is the DOMVS land specialist. Neil Greenway says: ‘Much has changed in the last few years. There has been the introduction of new Building Control standards, ever-changing planning requirements – most recently regarding phosphates and nitrates – and building cost increases. This is why we’ve gathered together some of Dorset’s most knowledgeable industry experts to help demystify the process. With land-savvy lawyers, architect expertise and insider planning knowledge, attendees can expect to leave better informed about their land assets and their anticipated returns.’ Brett Spiller from Chapman Lily Planning says: ‘We are delighted to join the coveted DOMVS Land Seminar once again. It’s a great opportunity to meet with our local community and share our planning insights.’ With Dorset planning applications currently taking over a year in some cases – far exceeding the Government’s regulatory eight weeks – the DOMVS Land Seminar provides valuable, practical information for what is traditionally known as a difficult process.

Hall & Woodhouse donate all profits to charities at the Dorset County Show

Local family brewer Hall & Woodhouse will be running the main bar at this year’s Dorset County Show - and has pledged to donate all profits from the event to charity. This will be Hall & Woodhouse’s first time at the county show, and all profits will be split between the show’s chosen charities, The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and The Farmer’s Crisis Network (FCN) Dorset. The Badger Beer Volkswagen will also make an appearance at the show, offering free samples of Badger, as well as selling some bottled Badger and branded merchandise. There will also be free ‘Badger beer and cheese’ tasting sessions, hosted by Mark Woodhouse, Hall & Woodhouse’s family director. These will run at 1pm on Saturday 3rd and 12pm Sunday 4th, and encourage visitors to try new ways of enjoying everyone’s favourite food with Badger beer. Anthony Woodhouse, chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, said: ‘This The Badger Beer Volkswagen will be offering free samples of Badger

event celebrates the best of local agriculture, farmers, and producers. As a Dorset business, it is so important that we give back to our community. ‘We are excited to be part of this year’s Dorset County Show and spend time with the visitors who are just as passionate as us about supporting our farmers and local producers.” Nicki Ralph, chair of Dorchester Agricultural Society, added: ‘We are thrilled to receive Hall & Woodhouse’s support for our chosen charities. We’re delighted the Dorset County Show is back with all the major attractions the show is known and loved for, such as cattle and livestock, sheep shearing, vintage tractors, show jumping, shopping, and plenty of food and drink. There’s live music, the fun fair, a local artisan’s tent, the Fabulous Food and Farming zone – it’s ideal family entertainment’ The show is on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September at

Dorchester Showground, Cokers

Frome, 8.30am- 6pm both days.

Tickets £23pp, under 16s free.

PROPERTY SPECIAL