Dorset business news
Dorset business news, newest first: openings, closures, awards and jobs across the area.
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865 Dorset Firms Closed in Six Months: MP Wants VAT Cut
865 Dorset businesses closed and 790 opened from January to June, ONS figures show. Vikki Slade MP wants a hospitality VAT cut in the coming Budget.
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Business
New Dorset Businesses: 130 Firms Registered in a Fortnight
130 companies registered in the Dorset Council area from 27 Sept to 10 Oct, from a Dorchester coffee roastery to Weymouth boat charters, plus one liquidation.
Dorset
Dorset Claimant Count 4,900: Under-25s Up 13% in a Year
Dorset's under-25 claimant count rose 13.1% in a year to 990, the highest August figure since 2021, while the 25 to 49 band fell. The county total is 4,900.
Tourism
Dorset Tourism Awards 2026: The Finalists, Town by Town
Nothe Fort, the Etches Collection and Swanage Carnival make this year's Dorset Tourism Awards finalist list. Winners are named in Bournemouth on 22 October.
Business
New companies in Dorchester: 26 registered in August
A festival company named for the Dorset Ooser, a pizza business, two personal trainers and six building firms are among 26 companies registered in DT1 and DT2 last month.
Business
Weymouth Bay Coffee Co at Lodmoor goes into liquidation
The company behind the Lodmoor Country Park cafe entered creditors' voluntary liquidation on 20 July. Who to contact if the Weymouth cafe owes you money.