Business
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.