Swanage Mayor Cllr Tina Foster prepares to cut the ribbon with Cllr Chris Moreton, Deputy Mayor, and Helen Goldsack, Chief Officer, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck.
Published: May 22, 2023 | Updated: 23rd May 2023
New bus to provide vulnerable residents with access to free advice and support
Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck has launched a new Advice Bus which will provide vulnerable residents with access to free advice and support.
It was officially declared open by Swanage Mayor, Cllr Tina Foster, and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Chris Moreton, at Swanage Market, one of the weekly bus stop locations.
The Advice Bus will deliver a service to people who cannot easily access existing outreaches or are digitally excluded.
The cost of living crisis has resulted in a large increase in the number of people needing advice.
Last year, Citizens Advice in East Dorset & Purbeck helped more than 5,000 local residents with advice issues.
The number is expected to rise further.
Katrina Ford, Business Development Manager, said: “The Advice Bus will visit locations across East Dorset and Purbeck reaching residents who are unable to access current services due to rural isolation, restricted mobility, cost of fuel or limited access to public transport.
“We are most worried about those on the lowest incomes including the elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged with many struggling to pay every day bills.
“Our advisers on the bus will be able to provide general advice and support which is free and there is no need to book an appointment.
“Other voluntary sector organisations will be joining us at some locations to provide additional support services.”
The Advice Bus will be stopping at the following locations on a weekly basis.
More information at: edpcitizensadvice.org.uk/get-advice/advice-bus
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Bournemouth’s Castlepoint set to welcome Nike as newest tenant
Nike is the newest brand to join the line-up at Castlepoint in Bournemouth after signing up for a 12,533 sq ft unit, which includes a mezzanine level.
It is the third new lease secured in recent months following the arrival of Holland Barrett and the upsizing of Mountain Warehouse to its largest UK store across 12,000 sq ft.
Castlepoint, which covers 36 acres, was acquired by joint venture owners, the funds of Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Delancey, last autumn.
A new asset management strategy is already bearing fruit with the improved tenant mix and plans are underway for capital expenditure to maximise the 684,000 sq ft park’s potential.
A spokesperson for the joint venture owners said: “We look forward to Nike’s arrival, arguably the most recognisable sports brand in the world.
“Nike is perfectly aligned to the potential we observed in Castlepoint as a major regional retailing destination.
“Occupier interest in Castlepoint remains high.
“It is clear operators have confidence in the scheme and we’re looking forward to exploring further opportunities as we move through 2023 and beyond.”
The joint agents for Castlepoint are Morgan Williams and Curson Sowerby Partners LLP.
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Online magazine The BV is ‘highly commended’ at glitzy national awards
Dorset’s very own online magazine. The BV, was just pipped to the post at the News and Magazine Awards (NMA) 2023.
The monthly title for the Blackmore Vale walked away with a ‘highly commended’ after going up against the Nottingham Post and the Western Mail in the Regional Publication of the Year category.
The result was announced at a glitzy awards ceremony at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, presented by Niall Paterson of Sky News.
The judges said they were impressed with The BV’s editorial quality and the fact that the publication had surpassed the exceptionally high and challenging targets it had set.
They also applauded The BV for its genuine connection with its audience, recognising the online magazine’s ability to captivate and engage its readers.
Editor Laura Hitchcock said that the team’s inclusion in the top three regional titles in the country was an honour in itself and the ‘highly commended’ had surpassed all expectations.
She added: “The commendation really validates everything we’re trying to achieve.
Husband and wife team Courtenay and Laura Hitchcock, pictured at the awards.
“We’re a tiny team – beyond the writers, it really is just the two of us – and we’ve always had a very targeted focus on simply creating excellent content.
“Everything else follows naturally from there.”
Director Courtenay Hitchcock said: “It was a remarkable night, and we are incredibly proud of how far we’ve come.
“Of course, it would not have been possible without the immense support of our talented team of writers and the unwavering loyalty of our readers.”
Launched in September 2020 by Laura and Courtenay, The BV was originally known as The Blackmore Vale until a rebrand.
Earlier this year it was named Digital Magazine of the Year in the 2022/23 Prestige Awards for South England and also Local Monthly Publication of the Year in the CorporateLiveWire Awards.
