Hello Poole!

Well, here it is, our very first edition!

We’re brand new, and we’re here to bring you the latest from across Poole—local news, events, businesses, and the people who make our town great. But to make this the best it can be, we need your help!

Share PooleNow with friends, send us your stories, tip us off about exciting events, and let us know what you'd love to see in future editions. This is a newsletter for Poole, shaped by the people who love it.

We hope you enjoy this first edition—and we can’t wait to hear from you!

This week…

• Business events

• Family Half Term Fun

• This week’s happenings in Poole

• Our interview with Josh Williams from Town

🎤 Perfect Your Pitch with Evolve Advisory! 🚀

Are you a start-up or aspiring entrepreneur looking to secure funding with confidence? Perfect the Pitch is a free event designed to help you refine your pitch, gain expert insights, and connect with investors. The event is being run by Evolve Advisory, an award winning business, providing advice on starting, growing and exiting a business.

✅ Real-life success stories from entrepreneurs who’ve pitched before
✅ Expert advice on common mistakes and best practices
✅ Networking opportunities with mentors, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs
✅ Pitch workshop in a safe, supportive environment

📅 25th February | 5:30 – 8:00 PM
💡 Free to attend, funded by Dorset LEP

Register now: evolveadvisory.co.uk/event/perfect-the-pitch

📢 Designers & Creatives Wanted!

One of our favourite bars, The Butcher’s Dog are looking for fresh ideas for their branding! If you’re a designer, illustrator, or branding enthusiast, this is your chance to help shape their new look.

Got ideas? Email [email protected] and get involved! 🎨🍻

💳 FinTech West: South Coast – Unlocking the Future of Fintech

📅 Wednesday 12th February 2025 | 🕐 1–4PM
📍 Bournemouth University, Fusion Building

The South Coast’s fintech scene is thriving – but it’s time to bring it into the spotlight. This event will explore the sector’s past, present, and future, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth in BCP.

🔹 Welcome: Prof. Alison Honour (BU Vice Chancellor) on the university’s strategic vision
🔹 The Past: Matt Desmier reveals the area’s digital economy success story
🔹 The Present: Julian Wells presents the 2025 BCP+ Fintech Ecosystem Report
🔹 The Future: Industry panels discuss opportunities & next steps

Join fintech leaders, innovators & investors as they unlock the region’s true potential! It’s not too late to get tickets here!

🎆Celebrate the Best of Dorset with The Spark: BCP Innovation Hub at Foundry, Poole

On Thursday 13th March, Foundry in Poole will host a vibrant evening celebrating Dorset’s people, businesses, and rich local culture. From 6-9 PM, guests can enjoy a lively showcase of the county’s finest food, drink, and storytelling.

Expect award-winning ales, ciders, and spirits, alongside handcrafted Dorset produce to savour. The event will also feature captivating stories from the local community, including five exciting startups making waves in the region. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with passionate creators, makers, and business leaders, all while celebrating what makes Dorset so special.

With limited spaces available, book now to be part of something truly unforgettable. Reserve your spot.

🏃 Sign Up for the Vitality Bay Run! 🌊

Ready to kickstart your fitness goals? The Vitality Bay Run returns on Sunday, 23rd March 2025, offering a Half Marathon, 10km, 5km, and a 1km Children’s Race—perfect for all abilities.

Run along Bournemouth’s stunning coastline while supporting local charities like Dorset Mind and Bournemouth Foodbank. Join over 3,000 runners for a day of fun, fitness, and community spirit!

Sign up now: www.bournemouthbayrun.co.uk

🌱 BCP Community Infrastructure Levy – Funding for Local Projects

The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a fund collected from new developments to support community projects that enhance local areas.

The next round of funding is now open, inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to bid for grants before midday on Monday 24th March 2025. Successful projects will be announced in July 2025.

Funding can support environmental improvements, public art, street furniture, community facilities, and more. If you have a project that could benefit your local area, find out more and apply here: CIL Funding Details.

Half-Term Activities for Families

• Monkey World (15th – 23rd Feb) – Kids get half-price entry to see over 230 rescued primates! Bring an unopened pack of nuts or seeds for a badge and activity sheet.

• Russell-Cotes Museum (18th – 20th Feb) – Enjoy craft sessions (£4.50 per child) and a free house trail exploring Purbeck and the seaside.

• Studland Bay (15th – 23rd Feb) – Borrow a free Nature Detective bag with binoculars, bug pots, and activity sheets to explore the bay.

• Kingston Maurward Fossil Trail (from 8th Feb) – Follow a map to spot fossils and dinosaurs hidden around the park and win a prize!

• Upton Country Park (15th – 23rd Feb) – Pick up free nature activity sheets or join the Wildlife Day on Wednesday for talks, guided walks, and pond dipping.

• Cool Coast Ice Rink (until 23rd Feb, BIC, Bournemouth) – Skate on the South Coast’s largest indoor ice rink! SEN-friendly sessions available.

• Colin’s Nest Café Free Event (17th Feb, 11am-1pm, Poole) – Fun, games, soft play, and special character visits with Little Gizmos Entertainment and Super Si.

• Lighthouse Poole

  • Crafty Fools: Adventures in Science! (18th Feb) – Fun, interactive science show.

  • The Rollerboys (19th Feb) – High-energy roller-skating performance.

  • Princess Live! (22nd Feb) – A magical show featuring favourite princesses.

• Moors Valley Country Park

  • Mini Golf (daily, 11am-3pm) – £8 per person.

  • Ranger Den (18th – 21st Feb, 1.30pm-4pm) – Learn about native birds and meet European tree frogs (free event).

  • Moors Valley Railway (15th – 23rd Feb, 10.45am-4.30pm) – Steam train rides from £2.85.

• Poole High Street Discovery Trail – Follow a free self-guided trail to uncover hidden stories from Poole’s history.

• Rock Reef (Bournemouth Pier)

  • Valentine’s Drop ‘n’ Go (14th Feb, 6-8.30pm) – Clip ‘n Climb session with food and drink.

  • Valentine’s Pier Zip Offer (15th – 16th Feb) – Special 2-for-1 deal on the Pier Zip line.

• Carey’s Secret Garden (16th Feb) – Watch Migration as part of the Purbeck Film Festival and explore the gardens beforehand.

• The B.E.N Show (18th Feb, Hamworthy Liberal Club Hall) – A fun family show featuring magic, juggling, comedy, music, and more from Bournemouth’s best children’s entertainers.

• Lemur Landings Phaser Night (19th Feb) – Kids can enjoy six adrenaline-pumping phaser games in a giant space station-themed play area with disco lights and music.

• Kingston Lacy Half-Term Planting (17th – 21st Feb) – Join the team in the Kitchen Garden for free planting sessions and take home a sweet pea or sunflower seed in an eco-pot.

• Corfe Castle Half-Term Fun (15th – 23rd Feb) – Complete the Conqueror's Castle family quest, climb to the King’s View (extra cost), and let a teddy zoom down the zip-wire!

• Little Brick Club Workshop (18th Feb, The Hub on the Heath, Poole) – Kids (ages 7-12) can unleash their creativity with an immersive LEGO® brick-building experience.

• Multi Sports Activity Camp (Mon - Wed) - Kids aged 6-13 can spend the day playing a variety of sports with qualified PE teachers for just £20 per day

• Bouncy Fun Play – Enjoy inflatable-filled fun with children’s entertainment at different venues:

  • 17th & 21st Feb – The Bourne Academy, Bournemouth.

  • 18th Feb – Ashdown Leisure Centre, Poole.

  • 19th Feb – Rossmore Leisure Centre, Poole.

Town: The New Loyalty App Bringing Poole Together

Josh Williams talks to us about his mission to get us shopping local

We asked Josh what inspired him to launch Town, the new digital loyalty app designed to support Poole’s independent businesses. His answer? A lifelong love for the town—and a surprising stint working in an Amazon warehouse.

“It made me think about how disconnected we are from our local communities. We all shop online, but that comes at a cost to our high streets. Poole has some incredible independent businesses, but they need more support. Town is about making it easier and more rewarding to shop local,” he explained.

Josh has lived in Poole his whole life and has seen both its decline and its potential. “It’s been tough watching the high street struggle, but there have been some great initiatives, like Kingland Crescent and the street food scene. I wanted to do something to keep that momentum going.” With a background in marketing and entrepreneurship, he felt he had the right skill set to make a difference.

What is Town and How Does it Work?

Town is a universal loyalty card that allows shoppers to earn rewards at multiple local businesses. Instead of separate loyalty schemes for each café, shop, or restaurant, Town brings them all together under one system. Users scan their digital card when they shop at participating businesses and collect points that can be redeemed for rewards.

But Town isn’t just another rewards app. Josh is working on something much bigger—his Community Vision Funds, an idea he believes will set Town apart from anything else out there. “This will give people a real stake in the success of the place where they live. I haven’t seen anything like it before, and I think it could be huge.” While he’s keeping the finer details under wraps for now, he’s confident it will make a real impact.

The Challenges of Launching Town

No start-up journey is smooth, and for Josh, the biggest challenge has been converting interest into real engagement. “People love the idea, but they need to actually use it. There’s a lot of enthusiasm for supporting local businesses, but we need to make sure that translates into action. That’s why storytelling is so important—explaining why Town exists and why it matters.”

Josh is also focused on making sure the app provides real value to businesses. “Loyalty schemes can be expensive and complicated for small businesses to set up. With Town, we handle all of that, and at the moment, it’s completely free for them to join. They get a profile on the platform, improved SEO, and increased visibility. The feedback so far has been really positive, and I’m making improvements based on what businesses need.”

Why Poole?

Poole was the obvious choice for the first Town launch. “Simple—I was raised here, and I love it. It helps having a base somewhere, especially with a business that’s all about local places. I know the good spots, I know the community, and I want to see Poole thrive.”

And Poole has a lot going for it. “In the summer, this place transforms into something special. We’ve got an incredible coastline, great independent businesses, and a strong community. But we need to support those businesses all year round, not just in peak tourist season.”

The Future of Town

With Bournemouth next in line, Josh has big ambitions for Town. “In five years, I’d love to see 1 million people across the UK using Town to feel more connected to their communities, local businesses, and the people around them.”

But for now, his focus is on proving the concept works in Poole. “If this is going to scale, it has to start here. We need thousands of people using it, businesses seeing the benefit, and real engagement. That’s the next big milestone.”

Why Should You Sign Up?

Town is for anyone who loves shopping local. Whether you already support independent businesses or want to start, the app makes it easier and more rewarding. “Everyone does this to some extent—unless you’re exclusively tied to Tesco and Amazon! Town lets you earn points and rewards for something you might already be doing. Plus, if you care about revitalising the high street, this is a simple way to be part of that.”

If Town succeeds, it could help reshape how people interact with their local communities. By making shopping local more convenient and rewarding, it encourages long-term behaviour change. “The high street won’t recover overnight, but if we make small changes to how we shop, those add up over time.”

What Does Josh Love About Poole?

When Josh isn’t working on Town, he’s making the most of what Poole has to offer. “I’m guessing I can’t list out 100 places here?! But definitely eating and drinking in Ashley Cross—Camden Bar does an incredible modern twist on comfort food. The Bermuda Triangle for drinks. Mungo’s Corner might have the best sandwiches in Poole. Pi Pizza? Maybe the best pizza I’ve ever eaten.”

Beyond food, he’s a big fan of beach walks—usually wishing he had a dog to take with him. And when the sun sets, you might find him behind the decks. “I DJ Ibiza house and liquid DnB at SharQuayz Bar on the Quay. We did an old school garage night a couple of weeks ago, which was a lot of fun.”

His enthusiasm for Poole is clear. “This place is simply spectacular. And in the summer? It’s something else entirely.”

Want to Help Poole’s High Street? Get Involved!

Town is about making it easier to shop local, support businesses, and feel connected to where you live.

“This is about people power. If enough of us get involved, we can actually change the way our local economy works.”

Sign up at: Town

What’s on this week in (and around) Poole

Tuesday

BIC - Ricky Gervais Mortality at 7:30pm laugh out loud

Bakers Arms, Lytchett Minster - Quiz Night at 8pm test your knowledge

Wednesday

Running Free, Ashley Cross - An Evening with Kate Cadbury & Layla Gordon: “Marathons: Why, when & what to know to stay on the Go!” at 6:30pm get inspired

Thursday

Jenkins & Sons - Gemma Leanne live music at 7pm enjoy the tunes

Knightlife Brewing Taphouse - Thursday Night Quiz at 8pm join the challenge

The George - Quiz Night at 8pm play along

Friday

Lighthouse - Punk Off! The Sounds of Punk & New Wave at 7:30pm rock out

Lighthouse - Blade Runner: The Final Cut at 8pm what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than to watch a classic

Bermuda Triangle Pub - Valentine’s Pub Party at 9pm dance the night away

Upton Country Park - A Heathland Celebration - takes place all weekend explore the art

Saturday

Bournemouth Pavilion - Makers Market from 11am shop local

The Coven, Bournemouth - Lino Printing for Beginners at 2pm get creative

The Hub on the Heath - Valentine’s Pottery Painting Workshop at 6:30pm paint & relax

The Tap and Grape, Broadstone - Screw Loose live music at 8:30pm hear the hits

Jenkins & Sons - The Pudenski Bros live music at 8:30pm sing along

Sunday

The Britannia - Charity Quiz Night at 6:30pm support a cause

The Oakdale Club - Sunday Quiz Night at 8pm win prizes

Monday

The Dolphin Centre - Random Acts of Kindness Day from 9am spread kindness

Delfino Lounge - The Acoustic Connection at 6:30pm discover local talent

The Grasshopper - Monday Quiz Night with CK at 7pm join the fun

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