Business

Exporting from the Vale...

with Adrian Fisher MBE

Finding new business and new markets is crucial in these difficult times. What could we be doing differently? Our maze business in Durweston is 80 per cent export, across 40 countries. Until recently, this has been fee-based design services for visitor attractions open to the public, such as mirror mazes and landscape hedge mazes. With covid-19 and the resulting tourism shut-down, capital budgets for visitor attractions have collapsed for the foreseeable future,

REMOVALS & STORAGE

ARMISHAWS SMALL MOVES

Its not the size that matters it’s the way you move it! Armishaws operate a 昀eet of small removal vans throughout Dorset, Somerset and Wilshire catering for those clients who only need a small removal but still want the expertise provided by a larger removal company. With prices ranging from £300 for a local move our services are tailored to meet your needs. certainly longer than our capital reserves can carry on ‘empty’. We have faced massive disruptions to our markets over the years, but never across all countries simultaneously. Before, global regions rose and fell, and we could switch focus; this year, they all moved together. Our fresh marketing strategy is to build on our strengths and unique selling points (USPs), identify specific markets with sniper-style precision, and devise a viable business plan. What to offer: things that can be provided either electronically or delivered direct to the customer’s home. We are expanding from what we have achieved in the past, to scale up rather than start from scratch. We have an acclaimed world class 50-challenge puzzle for the 2021 e-Toy Fairs, to be bought online globally and delivered to each customer’s address; it will also have an online games version. We are working with experienced marketers in the fashion, couture and high-end art markets, to bring our Geometrica range of geometric art designs to sophisticated international markets such as headscarves, tablecloths and interior fabrics, as well as limitededition fine art prints and custom-made mosaic murals. For other companies in the Vale, I see a strong export future for many foods and beverages with high quality ingredients, great product design, a lively narrative and effective distribution in targeted export markets. Tasty and refreshing lowalcohol or no-alcohol drinks, from the Vale of Avalon (the vale of apples) could achieve exports of cider and ginger beer to countries that don’t want driving and alcohol to mix, or simply forbid alcohol. Our wonderful cheeses. And so much more. From Dorset electronically, the whole world is the same distance away. Email, Skype and Zoom involve no cost. English is the world’s language for business. I hope this conveys some of the experience, challenges and opportunities of Exporting from the Vale.

Adrian Fisher was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s 2020 Birthday Honours, for services to International Trade and the Creative Industries.

Causing Stur in property market

So soon after featuring in a BBC Radio 4 programme on how the town is bucking the trend in defying the decline in market towns, Sturminster Newton (alongside Shaftesbury) recently appeared in a BBC Business News article. It reports that according to Rightmove, homeowners are now looking to move from cities and large towns to the coast and countryside and our town is included in a list of nine popular locations where searches have doubled. Local estate agents have confirmed this increase and added that demand is coming from those in the Bournemouth area looking to move from the city. We know that Christmas will be a little different this year, but to bring a little early cheer many of your favourite Stur town centre businesses will be extending their opening hours until 8pm on Friday, November 6 for a Late Night Opening. A Producer’s Market, selling fabulous local food and drink will be in attendance too. Further information on past and future Stur activities can be found at: sturminsternewton.org.uk/events/ events-festivals and facebook.com/SturBiz

MAGNET: Stur is proving popular with city leavers

Get on board with Dorset partnership

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is seeking new private sector board directors. Applicants should be business people passionate about the region’s economy who want to share their skills and experience to help Dorset prosper. A spokesman said: “Dorset LEP is building a vision where everyone living, working and studying in Dorset will be living better, and to create a local economy that is sustainable, innovative, resilient and inclusive, achieved by leading a digital and cultural transformation using opportunities from new technologies. “These exciting opportunities to join Dorset LEP are open to business leaders who can bring a depth of experience aligned to our strategic aims... As a board member you will be a director of Dorset LEP, making decisions in driving investment into Dorset.” Members have the chance to influence policy and spending decisions that will make it easier for businesses to grow, attracting investment into Dorset. They will be expected to promote Dorset to a regional, national and international audience and shape priorities to have the biggest impact on growth and jobs across the region. You will spend about two days a month carrying out this role, including attending bi-monthly board and committee meetings across Dorset, as well as occasional media interviews, promotional activity and events. You must live or work in Dorset and be committed to serve for a term of three years. Dorset LEP welcomes applications regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. Recruitment is through an open and transparent process. Board member applications should be submitted by 9am on Monday, November 23. Go to dorsetlep.co.uk/work-with-us. Dorset LEP is also seeking candidates to join as committee members, with applications closing on Tuesday, December 1.

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