Poole’s Dolphin Centre is to launch a new way of creative working in the town centre in a move aimed at helping invigorate local businesses.

The innovative Foundry co-working space is due to open this November in a joint initiative with centre owners, Legal and General Investment Management Real Assets (LGIM).

From individuals to start-ups, Foundry says it will offer the community a local platform to work, host and grow.

Rented by the day, week or month, it plans to have flexible working options for businesses of all sizes.

Greg Westover, pictured left, Fund Head of Retail and Leisure at Legal & General, said: “As we recover from the challenges of the past few years, it is evident that the entrepreneurial spirit of the Poole business community is very much alive and thriving.

“A substantial investment into the evolution of the Dolphin Centre, Foundry is our response to the post-pandemic demand for a new hybrid working model.

“This unique environment provides an exciting space to do business; ideal for those who don’t want to commute.”

Plans are underway to celebrate the sixties architecture of the Brownsea House building, located on the first and second floors of the centre, by exposing the original design features and merging them with new contemporary elements.

Adam Walker, Co-Founder of Foundry, said: “Using the building’s mid-century architecture as an influence, we aim to create inspiring office suites and collaborative communal areas to inject the fun back into home working.

“It is our mission to empower the local business community by giving them the space at Foundry to think differently and to upscale growth.”

With access through the centre into a concierge style lobby, members will have exclusive use of the workspace lounge, meeting and bar areas within the serviced office complex.

LGIM is set to launch its pilot location, Foundry Eastbourne, pictured right, at The Beacon Shopping Centre this summer.

A further 10+ locations are planned within the next three years.

Foundry is part of the wider ‘Future Retail Blueprint’ launched by Denz Ibrahim, Head of Retail and Futuring at LGIM, in 2020.

It complements the variety of new initiatives that have launched at the Dolphin Centre over the past two years, aimed at drawing more people to the town centre.

The line-up includes Kingland (a shopping district of ten independent businesses), the Dolphin Street Market, Gather (a community events hub), an NHS outpatient clinic and an Adult Skills and Learning Centre that is due to open later this year.

• To find out more about Foundry and register your interest for the Poole site, please visit foundryuk.com.