celebrating-poundbury-magazine

In one area –ButtermarketSquare – nearlyevery retailunit is ownedor rentedby a femalebusinesswomanMAKING ITWORKMaybe it’s the work-life balancethat drives all working mumsto set up their own business.Perhaps it’s the freedom andliberation of planting a seedand watching your dream grow.Whatever the inspiration, onething's for sure – Poundbury ismaking it happenCharlie PolleyBoo’s Toy ShopCat WhiteCW InteriorsJacqui ChekeCapelli SalonInside shops, cafes and offices all over Poundbury thereare start-up businesses who are making their own wayin business. Some are driven by teams of like- mindedprofessionals, others husband and wife duos, butinterestingly behind many of these businesses are passionate,driven working mothers.Now, it would be wrong to say that there are more femalebusiness owners than anyone else, especially on a development whichis home to 173 businesses and 2,100 employees.But in one area in particular – Buttermarket Square – nearly everyretail unit is owned or rented by a female businesswoman. Whentrying to find out the reasons Poundbury has been such a draw, it isapparent that the cost effective rental prices and the friendly nature ofthe community has played a big part.Mum-of-two Charlie Polley, 32, opened the doors to Boo’s ToyShop in Buttermarket in 2013. She had set the business up three yearspreviously running it as a website from home so she could look afterher children, aged three and eight at the time.“I had just taken redundancy from an extremely demanding jobat New Look and I wanted to get the right work-life balance for myfamily,” she says.“I was determined to set up my own business and give it a good go.”Five years on and Charlie’s Poundbury shop is known throughoutDorset for its extraordinary tasteful children’s gifts that capture theimagination and install traditional play values. She has also been ableto buy the next door shop and to expand the business.“I was drawn to Poundbury because it was affordable and I saw a gapin the market which meant I was able to carve this unique business,”she says.“Of course starting a business in a new development takes times andeffort and sacrifice. But I’ve been able to use my own creativity to bringcustomers to the shop.“We don’t experience the footfall of the town centre but instead offinding that a negative I find it empowering that customers travel tosee us and we offer a unique experience.”Charlie personally organises two popular seasonal events inPoundbury, the Easter egg hunt and the Santa’s Grotto, which bothdraw in hundreds of parents and children.Having met the Prince of Wales twice in the last few years andhanding him presents after the birth of both Prince George andPrincess Charlotte, Charlie said it is a real privilege to work in such aprestigious place.However, success for Charlie is when she hears children in her shopusing their imagination when perusing the toys on display.“It just is such a great feeling when you hear a little girl talking aboutbeing a princess or her brother running to be a shopkeeper in thewooden shop,” she says.“That’s what makes it worthwhile.”Also in Buttermarket there’s Julie Hebblethwaite who opened Christabel’sLinens after sourcing linens and materials from all over Europe.Just a few doors down is Jacqui Cheke who owns the busy Capelli ofPoundbury hairdressing salon. Jacqui moved from another location inPoundbury, so she was able to help her daughter Jordan Summers set upa beauty business next door. At just 21, Jordan was able to create her ownbusiness Allure of Poundbury – not something every 21 year old can say.On one corner of the Buttermarket the Dorchester Physiotherapy &Sports Injury Clinic was set up by duo Sophie Dorkings and SamanthaFirkin. Their charismatic approach to business is refreshing and perhapswhy Sam has recently been nominated for a Venus Small Business Award.On the other corner of the Buttermarket sits a trendy looking interiordesign company called CW Interiors. Inside, radiating serious style herselfis Cat White. As a mother of two young children Cat also started herbusiness from home in Bridport in 2011 and she describes the business as‘growing organically’ until she got to a point where she needed a base.“I remember coming to Poundbury and it feeling quite safe, close toother nice businesses and the rent was really reasonable,” she says.“On top of that it is really aesthetically pleasing which suits the businessperfectly.”Cat has a range of clients but benefits from being close to the developersin Poundbury who she works for to design theirinterior decoration.“One of the benefits I found setting up here is that everyone was reallysupportive and that made a big difference.”Julie HebblethwaiteChristabel’s Linens62 63