Business

Andrew Diprose is the founder and editor of dorsetbiznews.co.uk, the No.1 business website in the county with more than 27,000 unique users

It’s a shining example of how people working together with passion, enthusiasm and commitment can create a community asset. And this month – October –marks the pinnacle of the resurrected Christchurch RFC when the newly-formed ladies team begin their debut season. So says David McDonald, President. He co-founded the former Plessey Christchurch Rugby Club in 1985. It played its last match 21 years ago before disappearing from view, seemingly for ever. But Donovan Lynaghan, Chair of Governance for Dorset and Wilts Rugby, was determined to put it back on the map. After his initial research in November 2018 he started painstakingly rebuilding the club, galvanising a strong team. One of his earliest decisions was to approach David, a graduate at Plessey in 1985, to seek both his blessing but also active participation. Last year the renamed Christchurch RFC returned to competitive action in the Dorset and Wilts league. And now, a year after they began training, the ladies team is to start playing in a development league with their first match – away – at Poole on October 17. Bryony Solan, who manages the team, said it would be a proud moment. She said: “We now have over 20 members, many who came to us via word of mouth or Facebook. “Women are more interested in getting involved in sport, perhaps due to events like the Olympics. The ages range from 24 to 49 with a wide variety of backgrounds. “The majority are new to rugby.” Bryony, whose partner, Lewis Thompson, plays in the first team, said she had resolved never to become involved in a contact sport but was now a committed team member. “I really enjoy it. We have a great group of ladies,” said Bryony, who is a chartered surveyor and Associate with commercial property firm, Vail Williams. Christchurch RFC also has a thriving youth and mini section based at The Grange School. The club now serves more than 90 children from Under 6s through to Under 14s. Donovan said: “It’s incredible to think that it was only in August last year that the ladies started training and they are now on the verge of entering a local friendly league. “The ladies game is growing across the country and there will be more focus than ever on appealing to a wider audience base. “We’re excited that Christchurch RFC has been able to expand to offer a ladies section and show that the game has much more to offer than just the physical aspect many associate with rugby. “We’re very fortunate to have Bryony lead the section. “She is passionate about welcoming new players on board and settling them in, working really hard on getting everyone through to this stage and ready for their first season. “Tom Chong only joined the club this year but was keen to get into coaching and took over the reins of head coach for the ladies two months ago. “He hit the ground running and was the obvious choice for taking the ladies forward. “We are only five months into the set-up, but have seen excellent growth, particularly in the younger age groups. “A big thank you there to the school itself and our amazing group of coaches. “As a club we’re pushing ahead further still by focusing on what the club and its members can do in the local community, partnering with charities and fulfilling our pledge as a community focused sports club. “Our aim is to grow sustainably and offer rugby to all age groups, male and female, across Christchurch and beyond.” David, who went on from Plessey to enjoy a successful high-level management career, said: “I am extremely proud at the extent of Christchurch RFC’s achievements in just two years. “The recent launch of the ladies section is the pinnacle –so far – of our short existence. “We are an inclusive, family friendly, fun, hard-working and community focused club. “I believe that these characteristics are key to our success so far.” n christchurchrfc.rfu.club

WORKING TOGETHER: From left, Bekki Lancaster, Donovan Lynaghan, Tom Chong, and Bryony Solan

Try hard and you’ll succeed

Breakfast boosts post-Covid planning

by Piers Williams Catchpole Law merged into Humphries Kirk during the Covid-19 lockdown, so it was appropriate that – at the end of a long 18 months of social isolation – as businesses in Dorset and Wiltshire start to plan ahead for the post-Covid era, Humphries Kirk organised a networking breakfast... outdoors! Attended by partners and staff from Humphries Kirk’s offices at Cranborne Chase, Dorchester, Poole, Wareham and Crewkerne as well as guests from Salisbury, Taunton, Wimborne, Crewkerne, Thornbury and local MP Simon Hoare, the breakfast, despite the odd shower, allowed rural and agricultural businesses to renew old connections and to make new ones. Simon answered questions on immigration, housing and planning, rural regeneration and the plight of the village community. Cranborne Chase Cider kindly donated a bottle of cider to each guest and Humphries Kirk sponsored the food. A collection was made for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation.

DX delivers the goods... and 20 new jobs

A leading provider of delivery solutions has created at least 20 new jobs with the opening of a new depot in Verwood. DX says that, once fully staffed, the 14,000 sq ft depot on the Ebblake Industrial Estate will have 20 employees and up to 30 subcontractors working out of the site. The depot will serve the group’s DX Express division, which specialises in secure, next-day parcel delivery. Its opening will allow for the expansion of DX’s operations in the south west, increasing the group’s capacity in the region and driving service and productivity improvements. The Dorset depot takes the total number of sites that DX has either opened or upgraded in 2021 to ten. DX says investment in the group’s depot network is a key pillar of its growth strategy. It has already undergone a £10m capital expenditure programme over the past two years. Significant further investment in the network is planned over the next three years, with further new depot openings and upgrades across both of DX’s divisions. Lloyd Dunn, Chief Executive Officer, DX (Group) plc, said: “We are pleased to be opening our new depot in Verwood, continuing the strong progress we have made in expanding our network in 2021. “This latest site will allow us to increase DX Express’ presence in the south west, enabling us to increase capacity for the region and enhance our service levels.” DX delivers to both business and residential addresses across the UK and Ireland. Established in 1975 as a Document Exchange service to the legal sector, DX now provides one of the widest ranges of overnight delivery services in the market, as well as comprehensive logistics services. The business transports items ranging from confidential documents to large, awkward-to-handle freight that is unsuitable for standard conveyors.

PROGRESS: Lloyd Dunn

Merged firms predict ‘exciting future’

A merger of a firm of chartered surveyors and a commercial property consultancy has been hailed as ‘a significant moment’. Wimborne-based consultancy Willis Commercial has joined forces withSouthampton and Bournemouth-based Primmer Olds B.A.S. Duane Walker, Primmer Olds B.A.S Director, said Dorset was the ideal location due to its evergrowing commercial property sector. He added: “As a firm we are delighted to be able to welcome Patrick Willis and the wider team to Primmer Olds B.A.S. “We share many values and believe the Dorset region has an exciting future. “This is a significant moment in our firm’s 34year history.” Patrick Willis, Director, Willis Commercial, said: “Following the inception of Willis Commercial in 2010 our aim has always been to support our clients with transactions in the Bournemouth, Wimborne and Christchurch areas. “We wholeheartedly believe in the Primmer Olds B.A.S ethos of adding value to clients through commercial property. “Following this acquisition, I am very proud of the fact that we can now serve our current and future clients with consultancy across all areas of the property lifecycle.” Primmer Olds B.A.S offers services such as valuation, building surveying, commercial sales and lettings, property management as well as architecture and project management. Willis Commercial specialises in sales and lettings for commercial properties across a range of sectors through East Dorset.

MERGER: From left, Patrick Willis with Duane Walker and Bradley Smith of Primmer Olds B.A.S

Law firm launches healthcare service

A Wimborne law firm has launched a new healthcare division to boost support for care providers in the rapidly growing sector. Ellis Jones Solicitors aims to help new and existing clients navigate an increasingly complex maze of compliance and seize new opportunities in the market. Its healthcare team together has more than 100 years of experience and includes partner and head of business services Neil Cook, who has owned and run his own care home, as well as senior associate solicitor Henrietta Frew, who will take the lead in dealing with any disputes, inquests and CQC-related issues. Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones managing partner, said: “The health and care sector is growing rapidly to meet the complex needs of our ageing population. “There’s an increasing requirement for care homes, domiciliary care and assisted living accommodation as well as specialist social and medical care yet the pressure of regulatory compliance continues to grow. “Specialist commercial legal advice is absolutely vital whether it’s to assist in the purchase of a care business, provide support for regulatory compliance, deal with any disputes, manage an exit or deal with difficulties created by the pandemic. “Our new Healthcare service brings together highly-skilled experts in their respective fields who have been chosen for their knowledge, experience and passion to provide the greatest support in what can be an incredibly challenging yet rewarding sector.” As well as Mr Cook and Mrs Frew, the healthcare team also includes head of banking and finance litigation William Fox Bregman, head of employment/HR services Kate Brooks, partner Chris Pemberton and senior associate solicitor Victoria Riddleston. Their expertise also covers business services, commercial property transactions, banking and finance, employment, dispute resolution, inquests, trusts for children with learning difficulties and Court of Protection applications. As well as care providers, they will advise others in the sector including GP practices, dental surgeries, pharmacies, nurseries and rehabilitation specialists. According to latest ONS statistics, 19 per cent of the UK population is aged 65 and over. Total healthcare spending stands at an annual £225billion. Ellis Jones also has offices in Ringwood, Swanage, Bournemouth and Poole as well as London.

EXPERTS: From left, Neil Cook, Henrietta Frew and William Fox Bregman

More workers treasure their leisure

Some businesses have as many workers as they did pre-Covid but they are working half the hours because they want a better work-life balance. Berry Recruitment, one of the country’s leading employment companies, said staff got used to having more leisure time while on furlough and during lockdowns. With the country opening up, these workers want to retain elements of their previous lifestyles, which means many are opting for part-time work. Employers, who know there is a candidate shortage, are being forced to accept this and many are struggling to make up the lost hours because they can’t find new staff. Berry Recruitment works from nearly 40 locations across England and Wales –including a branch in Poole –and said it has noticed the trend across numerous sectors. The company’s managing director Lee Gamble said: “It is a real problem for businesses who have staff opting for part-time work. “Many workers got a taste for it during the lockdowns and while on furlough and want to keep their new-found leisure time. “The pandemic gave people a chance to take stock as they had to slow down and it led to a reappraisal of their working lives. “Without being forced to work fewer hours this trend would probably not have happened. “Many of those now choosing to work less have not seen a huge dip in income because of the tax system and any loss is offset by what they have gained. “We are seeing this particularly in the driving, office, catering and hospitality sectors, but it is across the board. “In terms of demographic it is more pronounced in those aged in their late 40s and 50s, but the trend is observable in all age groups and nationalities. “People had been working the same way for 30 years and suddenly were forced to change habits, which they’ve now embraced. “Businesses are left with a headache because there are not enough workers to make up the lost hours. “It is making the labour shortage even worse, but is leading to rising wages as the rule of supply and demand kicks in. “It might be that tax increases or inflation compel people to return to former work habits, but there is no sign of that happening yet. “We have clients that have the same numbers of staff as they did before the pandemic but half the hours being worked.” Statistics have shown that there are now one million vacancies in the economy –the highest ever. There are around 1.5 million people unemployed.

n Lee Berry

Generation game as opticians relocates

Wimborne opticians called on different generations – a 101-year-old customer and its youngest contact lens wearer – to launch its new premises in the town. Joyce Sargent and nine-yearold Zara Ahmed jointly performed the honours at Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care in The Square. They were presented with flowers and a gift voucher respectively as a thank-you. Clair Davies, Branch Manager, said: “We have moved from High Street to our new bigger store which is in a more prominent site and enables us to expand our services. “We wanted to mark the opening in style and felt Joyce and Zara were the ideal choice to represent the wide range of people we help.” Joyce, a retired secretary, who has had eye tests at the branch since 2006, was delighted. She said: “I was honoured to take part. “I felt like a little girl, so excited.” Town Crier Chris Brown also helped to spread the word. Scrivens is a family affair for Zara as her parents and two brothers also get their glasses and contact lenses there. Zara, a pupil at Allenbourn Middle School, has been wearing contact lenses for six months because they have been linked with slowing the progress of short-sightedness in children. She said: “It was a nice surprise to be asked to the launch and I enjoyed taking part. “The staff are really nice. “I go there regularly so I have got to know them.” Scrivens has moved to the former Barclays Bank which closed two years ago and is using its vault as a hearing room. New services include an OCT machine to provide scans to aid earlier diagnosis of eye health conditions including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. The scans will be included, at no extra charge, as part of regular sight tests at the branch. There is also a new and updated range of frames, including the latest designer names. Family business Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care was established in 1938 and has 173 branches.

SERVICE FOR ALL AGES: Zara Ahmed, Joyce Sargent and Clair Davies

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