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.