From a bookshop to a baker, ice-cream parlour to a pizzeria…

More than 300 businesses in Wimborne are now showcased live after the town launched a new website.

The new-look Wimborne Hub – wimborne.info – is the culmination of three months intensive work by Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District).

As well as individual business profiles, the custom-built website boasts a client area, an events listings module and specialist search functionality.

Tammy Sleet, Wimborne BID Manager, said: “The new site combines a clean modern design with a nod to the traditional values of our market town, to create a one-stop virtual space for visitors, residents and businesses alike.”

The site was designed by web design specialists CW Marketing, based in Gaunts Common near Wimborne.

Founders Carl and Sylvie Wilson, pictured with Tammy, said: “The chance to develop this new website was an exciting opportunity for our business.

“It allowed our team to demonstrate how we could create an engaging online experience for users and at the same time make it a tool to promote the businesses of Wimborne.

“With the introduction of an easy-to-use online portal, it allows the BID and Wimborne levy-paying businesses to present themselves in a positive, up to date manner.

“We have really enjoyed the process and we’ve had lots of support from the BID team.

“We’re so excited for it to go live.”

Wimborne business owner Darren Rands, from Swain and Rands Home Improvements, has been trialling the online portal for a week.

He said: “The website is a great asset to the town and a fantastic virtual shop window for the range of businesses here.

“Having the flexibility to go in and quickly and easily update our own business profile page in a manageable way is a great promotional tool.

“It’s also really helpful for businesses that may not have, or cannot afford, their own website presence.

“They now have the opportunity to enjoy this online exposure and reach a wider audience of visitors to the town as well as local people.”

Tammy added: “Businesses want to reflect their own brand and message.

“Giving them an element of ownership to the site through the online portal was key to the development of Wimborne Hub.”

The Wimborne BID is a not-for-profit, business-led initiative to invest money into the local economy of Wimborne and represent the businesses of the town.

Funding is raised through collecting a levy payment from each business and is invested back into Wimborne.