Business

We Will Remember Them.

As the country builds up to November 11 – Armistice Day – all our thoughts turn to the sacrifices of those who have fought for our country. From the First World War to the Falklands, the Battle of Britain to Baghdad and beyond, our Armed Forces are the best of us all. Remembrance activities in the UK – and here in the South West – are led by the Royal British Legion. The RBL supports the Armed Forces community in a myriad of ways, with hundreds of thousands of volunteers doing what they can to honour not only the fallen, but those still serving – and their families. We want to show our respect, and give something back. Your Purbeck Gazette magazine is publishing your messages to our Armed Forces. For a donation of £10 or more – all of which will go to the RBL – we will publish your message of up to 25 words. It can be dedicated to one of The Fallen, a veteran, serving personnel or our brave forces in general. “We are passionate about supporting our Armed Forces, as we know the people of Dorset are too,” said publisher David Armishaw. “This is one way we can show our appreciation of those who take care of us each and every day – and we are proud to do so.” Simply follow the instructions below to place your message, and we will remember them.

Remember them, and support the Royal British Legion

On November 7, the Purbeck Gazette magazine will publish your messages of remembrance and dedications. For a donation of £10 or more, your message will be published in our remembrance feature, in print and online, with all donations given in full to the Royal British Legion. To place your message, up to a maximum of 25 words, please call 01963 400186 and place your message with Lizzie.

Business

Theatre to star as a ‘cultural hub’

More than 1,500 people gave their opinions on the Mowlem

AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to establish Swanage’s Mowlem Theatre as a cultural hub for the wider Purbeck area.

The Mowlem Institute Charity has revealed its business plan after commissioning a community consultant in 2020 to help inform and shape a process of change.

More than 1,500 responses were received to the consultation, representing 15 per cent of the Swanage population.

It overwhelmingly identified a desire for The Mowlem Theatre to be more open and welcoming and to develop deeper relationships and links with local schools, music and visual arts partnerships and festivals.

Called Time For Change, the 20-page document tackles subject areas such as the history of the trust, where it is today, organisational change, governance, funding and reimagining the building on Shore Road.

The plan also contains financial projections for the next five years.

It concludes: “The Mowlem is at a crossroads. Never in its history has the trust been in such an excellent position to make the changes necessary to become a thriving cultural hub for Swanage, contributing to the wellbeing of its residents and the economic regeneration of Purbeck.”

Deborah Paige, co-chair of The Mowlem Institute Charity, said: “The board of trustees is committed to involving the local community at every step as we position the Mowlem as not just a cultural hub for the people of Swanage but also as contributing to the continued regeneration of Purbeck.

“We hope through the public release of this business plan; residents and visitors, businesses and other arts organisations, charities and community groups will see our commitment to positive changes.”

In the last two years the board of trustees has been reinvigorated with new appointments to ensure it has the skills needed to deliver the changes identified.

Robin Sutcliffe, chair of the theatre’s Development SubCommittee, said: “The Mowlem has the potential to be an inspiring multi-purpose community resource – a place where people can learn, enjoy themselves and gather.

“This growth and organisational change will be dependent on increased funding, both public and private.

“We hope that this business plan helps to secure that.”

Dorset Innovation Park opens in 2018, with MP Richard Drax cutting the tape

Pictures: Dorset LEP

Site in Purbeck on list for zone boost

THREE areas in Dorset could become ‘investment zones’ under a new government scheme aimed at boosting development and growth.

Under the plan, firms based within the zones would benefit from zero business rates as well as relaxed planning rules to enable speedy delivery of homes and employment developments.

Dorset Council has submitted expressions of interest to the government covering three parts of the county – including one area in Purbeck.

The council wants investment zone status for a site in Wool, adjacent to the existing Dorset Innovation Park, pictured inset, where the aim is to build on the success there by offering further development opportunities for key sectors including advanced engineering and manufacturing.

The innovation park at Wool is currently home to around 36 firms, including Britlift and Qinetiq, with around 800 people working on the site.

The park is described by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership as ‘an advanced engineering cluster of excellence for the South West, building on its strengths in marine, defence, energy and cyber-security’.

The other two areas the council wants included are in Weymouth and Portland.

In Weymouth several regeneration sites around the waterside at Weymouth harbour and marina have been earmarked for homes and jobs, with opportunities for commercial and leisure developments. And the port area in Portland offers opportunities for commercial and business operations, and a residential site in Castletown.

The government says investment zones are designed to ‘unlock housing across the UK by lowering taxes and liberalising planning frameworks to encourage rapid development and business investment’.

The zones offer lower taxes – including 100 per cent business rates relief – planning changes that minimise the need for planning applications, and wider support including cash settlements to enhance growth.

Councillor Tony Ferrari, portfolio holder for economic growth, assets and property at Dorset Council, said: “We welcome any opportunity to attract investment, improve infrastructure, and create jobs here in Dorset.”

The three proposed locations offer great potential for economic development and are suitable for this kind of activity.

“However, I should also say that we have received only limited detail so far from government about how Investment Zones will work.

“Our Expressions of Interest do not represent a commitment by government or by Dorset Council. We await further detail from government so we can assess the potential pros and cons of an Investment Zone before making any formal commitment following council processes.”

A total of 38 local authorities across the country have been approached to submit expressions of interest in creating Investment Zones, including Dorset and nearby Somerset County Council.

It is not yet known when the government will announce decisions on Expressions of Interest for Investment Zones.

The schemes were announced last month as part of former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s controversial mini-budget and their future remains unclear as changes to that statement are made.

More details are expected in the coming weeks.