New life in is being breathed into Dorchester town centre

Business owners say Dorchester high street is alive and bucking national trend

Author: Jamie GuerraPublished 7th Jun 2024

Multiple new businesses have taken up units, revitalising a popular shopping arcade in Dorset.

Antelope Walk, which is under new ownership, has seen a number of new independent businesses set up shop.

Phil Gordon from the Dorchester BID told us: “I feel the new shops choosing to open here is making people sit up, take notice and perhaps think, ‘oh, maybe we should think about bringing our business to Dorchester’

“It's not just Antelope Walk that has seen success either, if you walk down South Street, you can see quite a few shops in the process of being refurbished and some even getting their signage up.”

More than 25 new businesses have opened their doors in the county town over the last two years.

Mr Gordan believes the key to success are unique, "destination" businesses as opposed to the mainstream, franchise shops that can be found all over the country.

He said: “The High Street has to evolve to survive and be successful. It needs shops that make people want to get in their car or on the bus and visit the town.

“The main way of achieving this is if you sell or offer something that you can’t get on the internet. Now, that can be unique items, great customer service or even expert advice on products.”

Dorchester is home to shops that specialise in a variety of things from antique furniture to handmade jewellery and even Italian cuisine.

“I get quite frustrated when I see the same people online complaining when a shop closes and those same people don’t say anything when a has opened,” Mr Gordan said. “Let's focus on the positives, we've got a heck of a lot of independent shops offering very wide range of different things and that is something to celebrate.”

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