Not quite as old as the Jurassic Coast but the independent and family-run retailer, Jurassic Outdoor in Swanage, Dorset, is celebrating a significant milestone and inviting everyone to come along to the party.
Founded in 2005 by Pip O’Neill and her friend Jane, the shop in lower High Street has survived the retail storms of the last 20 years, including the Covid pandemic, cost of living crisis, and inflation.
Jurassic Outdoor team left to right: Pip O’Neill, Aislinn O’Neill and Gav Coles
The birthday bunting is up!
Drinks, nibbles and a few surprises
Now Pip is planning to mark the 20th anniversary, along with her daughter Aislinn and her daughter’s partner Gav Coles, who run the store between them.
Everyone is invited to the celebration at Jurassic Outdoor between 3 pm and 7 pm on Saturday 29th March 2025, where there will be drinks, nibbles and a few surprises.
Pip said:
“We just wanted an occasion where we could give back to the community and say thank you, as without our customers we wouldn’t have lasted 20 years and be here today.
“It all started when I wanted to do something different with my life. I’d been working doing holiday let changeovers and cleaning but along with my friend Jane, wanted a shop.
“These two shops became available and we thought it would be good to focus on good quality camping and walking gear. We’d just received heritage status for the Jurassic Coast, so that’s where the name came from and that’s how it all started.
“We were so naive and had to learn a lot quickly. Our accountant Kevin has been brilliant and helped us a lot. I still enjoy running the shop and would do it all again!
“We have our core customers in Swanage and those who travel down and visit us when they are on holiday. We also have a few regulars who travel from quite a distance to come to our shop.
“As an independent, we can handpick what we sell, so it’s only what we think is good that makes it onto our shelves. No one is telling us what we can stock. We don’t just do what other outdoor stockists do, which is what I think our customers appreciate.”
Not just for humans, dogs can get kitted out too
Gav Coles has been planning some birthday surprises
Great prizes
The party at the shop will include a tombola with some amazing prizes donated by suppliers including walking boots and other good quality outdoor gear, as well as a voucher for Dorset Adventure Park provided by local outdoor company Cumulus. All proceeds will go to Swanage Pier.
For customers with a loyalty card there will be a special spin the wheel game with some great prizes, but the fun doesn’t stop there.
Gav added:
“We’ve devised a very special adventure game that will be appropriately Jurassic themed and outdoors. There will be more prizes to win but I can’t say anymore as it’ll be launched at the party and on our social media on Saturday. So come along and all will be revealed!”
Popular socks
Aislinn O’Neill was instrumental in creating the Jurassic Outdoors retail website during lockdown
“20 years is quite impressive”
Swanage is a town which is bucking the national trend with plenty of shops, mainly independent, populating the busy shopping area. There are few empty units and any vacant shop is usually quickly snapped up.
Aislinn said:
“Not much has changed over the 20 years, down this end of the High Street. Some shops come and go and we’ve lost the angling shop but others like Candleworld opposite continue like us.
“I think 20 years is quite impressive and worth celebrating. Please do pop in and join us on Saturday!”
More choice and chance to try on, than most outdoor shops
Pop in for a party
