Business
Surrey couple ditch corporate life for Dorset safari venture A new Swanage company is gearing up for a busy summer offering a very different tourist experience - taking visitors on safari! 
Christmas angels sought to help light up the streets of Swanage Swanage Chamber of Trade has appealed for a benefactor to cover the cost of extra Christmas lights in town for 2023. 
Historic Studland home goes on the market for £5 million A National Trust property overlooking Studland Bay, which was used as a location for the BBC drama adaptation of Howards End, has been put up for sale for the first ... 
New scheme to reward loyalty of shoppers in Swanage A loyalty card for Swanage called the Purbeck Pass is being launched to benefit shoppers and businesses through the year. 
Business blossoms for Corfe Castle venture From a workshop in Corfe Castle, Dorset Dried Flowers is branching out, boosted by scooping the award for best eco business at the Purbeck Business Awards 2023. 
Swanage hails new cash machine at town centre Post Office Even a hail storm couldn't stop the installation of a new cash machine at Swanage's town centre Post Office bringing it closer to becoming a banking hub. 
Studland adventure company forages ahead with new season An outdoor adventure company which began in Studland with just four kayaks and a hut, is back and bigger than ever for the new season. 
Farm and fortune as Purbeck favourite scoops top tourism title Farm park attraction Farmer Palmer's near Wareham has won gold at the 2023 South West Tourism Awards. 
Converted church boosts £1m Purbeck house market Chance to buy a piece of ecclesiastical history at Langton Matravers for Easter as a former Wesleyan church swells the record number of million pound properties up for sale in ... 
Swanage fish and chip chain hooks top UK title You'd batter believe it - Comedian Jason Manford has presented a top prize to a fish and chip business with two shops in Swanage. 
Purbeck Business Awards 2023 winners announced Winning certificates have been presented to 12 local companies at the inaugural Purbeck Business Awards at a ceremony at Kingston Country Courtyard near Corfe Castle. 
Purbeck boat hire business to expand despite opposition A business owner has praised Dorset councillors for ‘seeing sense’ after unexpectly allowing him to build larger premises within Wareham's conservation area. 
Historic Swanage pub saved from bankruptcy A London property developer with a passion for beekeeping has rescued the Anchor Inn in Swanage. 
New Salt Pig eatery in Studland replaces old Middle Beach cafe Following the controversial closure of Middle Beach cafe by the National Trust, a new venture has been set up nearby - The Sandy Salt Pig. 
Store wars as Co-op objects to new Lidl at Wareham The Co-op has told Dorset Council planners that, “There is no need for an additional foodstore in Purbeck”. 
Rosy outlook for bold new Swanage venture A stylish new shop in Swanage has already received a warm welcome from customers and fellow business owners. 
Take the plunge at Blue Pool thanks to new wedding licence Couples who got engaged over Christmas and the New Year have a new venue in Purbeck to consider in 2023. 
Best Christmas lights in Swanage: the winners revealed! A competition to find the best festive lights displayed by a business or local resident in Swanage has yet again proved to be a tricky task. 
Swanage pub closes due to ‘financial difficulties’ as bills soar The Anchor Inn in Swanage has shut its doors indefinitely due to the financial impact of Covid and rising energy costs. 
Last chance to enter Purbeck Business Awards The deadline for entries and nominations for the first ever Purbeck Business Awards is looming and people are being urged to complete their entries in time. 
New video campaign to boost Christmas shopping in Swanage With the Sandbanks Ferry out of service and not bringing its usual daytrippers into Swanage in the run up to Christmas, the town’s Chamber of Trade has been out filming ... 
National Trust to demolish Studland beach cafe due to coastal erosion Climate change has been blamed for the decision to permanently close a beach cafe which has been a vital part of Studland for 120 years. 
Corfe Castle Club regains top title after two difficult years Real ale fans at the Corfe Castle Club have raised a toast to their bar which has been declared the best in Wessex - again. 
Swanage shoppers co-operate to raise bumper payout for charity An impressive £24,000 has been handed out to three local good causes by the Swanage Co-op. 
Swanage to pilot scheme to improve access to cash after bank closures An action group made up of financial institutions and consumer groups has visited Swanage to work out a plan to ensure the town still has a guaranteed supply of cash. 
Purbeck farmer expands pick your own pumpkin to meet growing demand There’s no trick about the latest treat from a Purbeck fruit farm - pick your own pumpkin month at Lenctenbury Farm, near Corfe Castle, has become a screaming success. 
New plans proposed to redevelop Studland hotel The owners of the Knoll House Hotel in Studland are poised to put in a new planning application to totally rebuild the site, after a previous application was turned down. 
New Swanage Post Office opens on time despite Liam’s cancer setback Postmaster Liam Searle has managed to open Swanage’s new Post Office on schedule, despite having to beat off a dangerously aggressive cancer at the same time. 
Purbeck Cider Company back from the brink of disaster Two years after fearing his business wouldn’t survive, founder of Purbeck Cider Company Joe Hartle is now looking to expand. Entries open for new Purbeck business awards A new awards scheme has been launched, not as an excuse for a party but to recognise the quality and range of businesses across Purbeck, according to its organiser. 
Kingston’s old church finally sells at auction for half a million pounds The former church in Kingston near Swanage with spectacular views of Corfe Castle, has finally sold at auction after an earlier million pound deal fell through. 
Last bank branch in Swanage closes its doors for final time Lloyds Bank has closed its branch in Swanage, ending its 126 year history in the town. 
Refocus for Purbeck wedding venue after Covid shutdowns The Covid pandemic has prompted a prestigious wedding venue near Corfe Castle to push forward with its redevelopment plans and to diversify its business. 
Demand for Purbeck Ice Cream shows no signs of softening Ice cream sales are back to their pre-Covid levels for Purbeck Ice Cream despite the current financial pressures on household incomes. 
Moving date for Swanage Post Office announced Swanage Post Office branch is relocating from Kings Road and views are being sought to help improve access and services when it moves to Institute Road. 
Old photos reveal the changing face of Swanage’s high street Posters have been springing up around the town centre as businesses celebrate shopping in bygone times, thanks to Swanage Museum. 
Lloyds Bank cashpoint in Swanage to go when branch closes Along with the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch in Swanage, the cashpoint machine service is also to be removed. 
Corfe Castle pub gets creative to attract punters in uncertain times Following a difficult few years for the hospitality industry, The Greyhound in Corfe Castle is tempting pub-goers back. 
Lockdown spurs new businesses to start in Swanage A passion for pizzas has led a Swanage couple to turn a business idea during lockdown into a flourishing mobile takeaway service. 
Fresh clams to be sold in Swanage in new venture A Swanage fisherman has launched a new business selling locally caught clams. 
Thirty year stamp of approval for Worth Matravers firm A family-run business in Worth Matravers, which was inspired by a long ago trip to India, is celebrating 30 years of trading. 
Budget supermarket proposed for Sandford The supermarket chain Lidl is holding a public consultation to gauge local support for a plan to build a new store at Sandford near Wareham. 
Fresh look for Swanage hotel boosts wedding plans A Swanage hotel has undergone a major refurbishment to encourage more couples to use it as a wedding venue after one of the managers decided to hold his own wedding ... 
Surge in school bookings means Swanage firms set for record year Swanage outdoor education businesses are riding the wave of a boom in school bookings with a record number of children signed up for 2022. 
The last retail bank in Swanage to close Lloyds Banking Group has announced the closure of 28 branches including Lloyds Bank in Swanage. 
Supermarket chain buys McColl’s including Swanage store Jobs at the convenience store McColl's in Swanage have been saved after the supermarket Morrisons bought all of McColl’s 1,100 shops across the UK, including the one in Institute Road. 
Popular seaside tea rooms to reopen in Swanage The much-loved Brook Tea Rooms in Swanage is reopening after a lengthy closure following the death of the previous owner. 
Swanage bakery goes Italian as new owners take over The well-known Hayman's bakery in Swanage – popular for traditional British bread, cream cakes and pasties - has been bought by a Wareham firm that specialises in Italian cuisine. 
Chocolate firm founded in Swanage emerges from ‘challenging’ times Production has been flat out for the first ‘normal’ Easter in three years at the chocolate makers, which was founded in Swanage in 2002. 
The Pig Hotel at Studland sold to private equity group A private equity firm that specialises in travel and leisure, has bought the parent company of the Pig Hotels with a view to increasing the number of its properties. 
Couple launch post lockdown venture in Swanage Studio South, located in the heart of Swanage, is aiming to create a hub for artists to draw or paint while relaxing and eating cake. 
New owners of historic Swanage pub reveal tapas bar plans A brother and sister team are hoping to bring a taste of Spain to Swanage after buying the old Purbeck Hotel which has been standing disused for many years. 
As energy costs rise, Swanage businesses invited to join forum A new business group is being launched in Swanage to help local companies become more sustainable while reducing their carbon footprint. 
Post office service returns to Langton Matravers Filling the gap left when the old post office closed, a new outreach post office has started up in Langton Matravers near Swanage. 
Quarry near Swanage blasts a path to ‘net zero carbon’ future A lockdown project with a difference as a quarry near Swanage has spent the last two years reducing its carbon emissions. 
Soft launch of new ice cream shop in Swanage A new luxury ice cream shop, with a distinctively Dorset flavour, has opened its doors in Swanage town centre. 
Dorset firm that’s adding juice to Swanage internet connections A Dorset communications company that specialises in connecting hard-to-reach areas to the internet has expanded its service in the Swanage area. 
Family fish and chip firm expands to prime site in Swanage Swanage is to get a new high-profile fish and chip restaurant to replace Harry Ramsden’s. 
Ambitious £60m plans for Studland hotel rejected by councillors The general manager of Knoll House Hotel in Studland says he’s disappointed that proposals to transform it into an upmarket five star resort have been refused planning permission. 
Decision due on plans for £60m redevelopment of Studland hotel Ambitious proposals for Knoll House Hotel in Studland to be transformed into a luxury five star resort are to be considered by Dorset Council. 
Not just another brick in the wall – Swanage Brickworks takes top prize One of the oldest firms in Swanage has been honoured with a national award for its contribution to a prestigious new building in London. 
Great grandson takes the helm at Swanage newsagents Jenkins newsagents in Swanage has been taken over by the great grandson of a former owner. 
Purbeck quarry celebrates its 100th anniversary A quarry at Worth Matravers - which supplies around half of Dorset’s crushed stone - is celebrating its centenary and a family achievement. 
Swanage retailers’ dismay at lack of Christmas shoppers Shopkeepers in Swanage are reporting a dramatic reduction in the number of Christmas shoppers leading to fears some could struggle to survive. 
Swanage post office set to move to new town centre location The central post office in Swanage is set to move to a new location closer to the heart of the shopping area. 
Controversial Purbeck wind farm to become reality after 20 year battle The final sections of a massive windfarm are arriving at a Purbeck quarry, which will provide eight megawatts of renewable energy. 
Locals celebrate as pub owners save village shop in Langton Matravers An historic pub near Swanage is now doubling up as the village shop after the local post office closed. 
Swanage businesses forced to temporarily close due to Covid Covid rules have left a number of businesses in Swanage temporarily shut because staff have Covid or are self isolating. 
Ultrafast broadband coming to Swanage but delivery date is unclear Ultrafast broadband is on its way to Swanage in a project to upgrade services to 45,000 homes and businesses in Dorset.