Councillor Chris Tomes who is 40 years old, has been voted in as the new Swanage town mayor, taking over from Councillor Mike Bonfield who served a total of five terms in the top job.
At the annual council meeting on Monday 11th May 2026 at Swanage Town Hall in Dorset, Chris, who works for the family firm which runs local convenience store Costcutters, was elected unopposed.
Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes with his wife Cam – the new mayoress – holding their son Harry
“He loves Swanage, just as much as me!”
Chris is the youngest mayor appointed to Swanage Town Council since it was formed in 1974 following a reorganisation of local government.
Previously, Swanage Urban District Council governed the area and the old name can still be spotted on some drain covers in the town.
At the meeting, as he stood down as mayor, Councillor Mike Bonfield who served four terms between 2017 and 2021 and a fifth between 2025 and 2026, said:
“It’s been an amazing year for me and I’d like to thank all the council staff. As councillors we wander around town and chat to residents and sometimes I hear our council staff when they are wearing the council logo get grief from people, and that really upsets me.
“They all do a great job and I believe we have the best town clerk in Dorset – he is the one who keeps us all in order – which isn’t always an easy task!
“Thank you all for your support, and thank you to Councillor Tomes who has provided first class support as deputy over the last year. I wish him well as mayor and I know he will do a good job, as he loves Swanage, just as much as me!”
Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes (right) presents a pin badge to Councillor Mike Bonfield (left) to recognise his service to Swanage as a former town mayor
“A great honour and privilege”
Accepting the position of Swanage town mayor, Councillor Chris Tomes said:
“Firstly I’d like to thank my fellow councillors for putting their trust in me to lead the council over the coming year. It will be a great honour and privilege to serve this wonderful town as mayor, and council as chairman.
“I know everyone around this chamber cares deeply about our town, and I’m looking forward to continuing the good work we’ve achieved together over the last few years.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to Councillor Bonfield. Mike has been a great source of support, advice, and guidance, not just during my year as deputy mayor, but throughout my time as a councillor.
“Mike, you have been a fantastic mayor over five terms with Audrey by your side, and I definitely feel like I’ve got some very big shoes to fill. Thank you for your support and friendship. I know I’ll still be coming to you for advice over the next year.
When Chris served as deputy mayor, he was pleased to open a new convenience shop in North Swanage in March 2026, despite it being a friendly rival to his family’s convenience store in West Swanage!
“We care deeply about our town and its future”
Chris Tomes, who was also chair of Swanage Carnival from 2010 to 2014, added:
“I’m sure all councillors would agree that we are incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated workforce supporting this council.
“From the town clerk and the staff here at the town hall, to the Operations Department, Information Centre, and Beach Gardens teams – thank you for everything you do for the town. We have some exciting projects ahead of us, and I’m looking forward to working with you all over the coming year.
“I’d also like to thank my family, especially my wife Cam, who will support me as mayoress, and my son Harry. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and patience. Taking on this role would not be possible without you beside me. I’m also grateful and sorry in advance for all the events, meetings, and diary changes that come with being mayor!
“We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful town with such a strong community spirit. I promise to carry out this role to the very best of my ability and to uphold the standards set by the many excellent mayors who have served before me.
“And finally, to our residents – please keep talking to us, sharing your views, asking for help when you need it, and holding us to account. We are here to represent and serve our community, and we can only do that properly by listening. At the end of the day, we’re residents too, and we all do this because we care deeply about our town and its future.
“Thank you.”
The new mayor (left) and the new deputy mayor Sarah Vile (right)
“A privilege to work with you”
Following the election of mayor, the deputy mayor was appointed and this position went unopposed to Councillor Sarah Vile. Accepting the role of the deputy, Sarah said:
“I would like very briefly to say thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to support our new mayor.
“Chris – many congratulations, you are already a valuable asset to this town in so many ways including as a Dorset Council councillor, and I am very excited to support you as your deputy, in any way I can.
“Thank you to my councillor colleagues for your support and belief in me – your guidance and friendship mean a great deal.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the town clerk, officers, and all the staff at Swanage Town Council for the continued dedication and professionalism with which you run our council business, assets and services – sometimes in very challenging circumstances. It is a privilege to work with you.
“Last but by no means last, to my consort – my husband John, who got up the town hall stairs tonight three weeks after a new hip, and who believes in me and looks after me. Thank you my love.
“Thank you.”
Avril Harris (left) the first Labour mayor for Swanage Town Council who served 2021 to 2022, accepts the former mayor pin badge
Pin badge for former mayors
During the meeting, pin badges were presented to previous mayors to recognise their former important role in the town.
First a badge was presented by Mike Bonfield to Avril Harris who was mayor from 2021 to 2022, and also to Councillor Tina Foster, who was mayor 2022 to 2025.
Then the tables were turned as the newly elected mayor Chris Tomes presented the pin badge to Mike Bonfield.
Councillor Tina Foster (left) who served as mayor from 2022 to 2025 is presented with her badge to mark the achievement
“We need to make Swanage work for everyone!”
After the meeting, Chris Tomes said:
“I hope my election will encourage more younger people to get involved in the work of the town council, which would be nice to see.
“There’s challenges ahead, but over the next year, I’d like to see the plans for the stabilisation of the green seafront in Swanage start to come to fruition and for the redevelopment of the area to take shape.
“As the chair of the town council’s tourism committee for the past few years, I’m also keen for regenerative and sustainable tourism to be promoted, not only in Swanage but also across Purbeck. We need to make Swanage work for everyone!”
Further information
- More about Swanage Town Council
