Celebrating Poundbury Magazine Issue 6: The bright thinkers and entrepreneurs | Page 18

The bright thinkers
AND ENTREPRENEURS
As an urban extension of Dorchester, Poundbury has
already added millions to the local economy. Miriam Phillips
uncovers the stories behind the unique businesses that have
set up shop here and meets the people that are finding
success in Poundbury, from enterprising start-ups to family
empires and global businesses
18 WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK
Daniel Cole
Wessex Eco Energy
WWW.CELEBRATINGPOUNDBURY.CO.UK 19
I
t’s natural instinct that lots of
other office door but inside, the team is
entrepreneurs and free thinkers
clearly something really different.
end up in the same place. That’s
Director Daniel Cole excitedly talks
perhaps why Poundbury has such
about his newest eco initiatives and
a wealth of business talent, from
plans to make homes completely
global brands to family run businesses.
sustainable.
If you walk around the streets and
He said: "We came to Poundbury
squares in Poundbury on any given
because it seemed like such a great place
day you’ll walk past window displays
and had a lot going for it.
of quirky independent businesses,
“I like the ideas here and the fresh
behind which house entrepreneurs
ways of thinking.”
and factories meticulously mastering
From Tesla Powerwalls that charge
their products.
your house whilst you’re out, to solar
The latest survey in 2018 found
powered electric car chargers and eco
that there are now a staggering 185
pods, becoming energy efficient has
businesses based in Poundbury,
never been more interesting.
employing more than 2,210 staff.
During the recent visit by HRH
What's more, now at 25 years into
The Prince of Wales, he met with te
the development, the incredible
team before heading to Poundbury's
financial impact Poundbury has had on
newest café Finca where he met lots
Dorchester and
of customers sat
the surrounding
outside enjoying
area is valued at
the sun before
“We came to Poundbury
approximately
because it seemed like such going inside.
£40million of
Owner Don
a great place and had a lot Iszatt is so
increased demand
going for it.”
for local goods
passionate about
Daniel Cole
and services
coffee that you
per year.
can’t help but be
By the end of the project in 2025,
drawn into a discussion about the latest
Dorset County Council estimates
coffee blend on offer.
that Poundbury will have created
It’s the third branch of the popular
£834millon in demand for local goods
Finca with other cafes in Dorchester
and services, 4,700 people years of
and Yeovil.
employment and at least 121 new
Not only does the café have its
businesses.
own coffee roaster nearby, it has
Tucked away in the beautiful
also developed Cold Brew Nitro
Buttermarket is Wessex ECOEnergy.
Coffee, which is proving to be a
From the outside the door looks like any
popular addition.