The Buttermarket
The Square Dance in Pummery Square
T
he Buttermarket is
surrounded by boutique
shops, businesses and
cafes and comes alive
during the day.
It was also immortalised on film this
year, when it was used as the location
for the TV drama, Electric Dreams
The focal point is the iconic Butter
Market Bakery, which is an artisan
bakery with a rustic interior. Recently
under new management, the bakery
is a relaxing place to wile away some
time enjoying the mouth-watering
cakes, savouries and specialist coffee.
At the other end of the Buttermarket
is the iconic Maiden House at the
south end.
There is a selection of diverse
businesses that flank the sides of
the Buttermarket. These range from
window and door specialists, a beauty
salon and a therapist. While other
recent additions in the last few years
include a Post Office within the
relaunched Buttermarket Stores, the
Bramble Café and Deli, run by Mat
Follas, Poundbury Pilates and Wessex
ECOEnergy.
Owner of Hussey & Briggs, Gary
Briggs has been impressed with the
space that the Buttermarket provides:
“Customers have good access to
parking outside and the community
is great with events like the Christmas
market taking place.”
Traditional toy shop Boo’s Toy Shop
recently organised an Easter egg hunt
that had the square bustling with
children and families taking part and
searching for those elusive eggs.
Later in the year there’s also an
annual Santa’s Grotto as part of the
Christmas market, which attracts
gleeful families from across Dorset
also organised by Boo’s Toy Shop.
The Buttermarket is perfect for events
as it is so open and feels great when it is
filled with lots of people.
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Charlotte Polley
Owner of Boo’s Toy Shop
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32 WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK
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Welcome to the heart of the South West Quadrant
Pummery Square
AND THE FIRST PHASE
From activities, markets and dancing there’s
plenty to see and do in Pummery Square
L
ocated right at the centre
of the first phase of
Poundbury, Pummery
Square continues to play
an important role in the
development and community of the
area. The Square sits in front of the
unmistakable grand Brownsword Hall.
The traditional hall was designed by
John Simpson, whose inspiration was a
traditional West Country market hall.
If you’re wondering about the name,
greetings card entrepreneur Andrew
Brownsword sponsored the £1 million
development of the hall.
As well as being booked up daily
for community activities and private
functions, the underloft of the hall hosts
markets and other events.
Surrounding the square is a host
of businesses, including Hey Baby,
Stitchinghouse Design, the Poundbury
Village Stores and the pub The Poet
Laureate.
An addition to Pummery Square is
the refurbished Rivoli Boutique, which
is now under new management and
offering stylish ladieswear.
The square is within the 18.5-acre
Phase 1, which was completed in 1996
by builders CG Fry.
There are 196 houses and 56 flats
including 55 social housing homes.
The Fleur de Lis building on Bridport
Road is iconic and can be seen for miles.
A row of houses on the edge of
Poundbury, Holmead Walk looks over
the park and children’s play area and
has spectacular views of Maiden Castle.
There is also a walkway to The Prince of
Wales School.
Where Poundbury links through to
Dorchester there is the recently opened
£8 million Dorchester Sports Centre,
which includes a six-lane swimming
pool.
Of course, the Poundbury Square
Dance takes place every year and brings
the square alive. It is a family event
and takes place in early July, which is
aimed at anyone over the age of four.
The evening then tends to see The Poet
Laureate serving a delicious barbeque to
cater for the hungry dancers.
Later in the year, Pummery Square
is the location for a popular children’s
Christmas party that takes place at
Brownsword Hall in December.
For a detailed list of events held
at the Brownsword Hall see
page 60.
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