The Dolphin Centre in Poole is encouraging small businesses and start-ups to trade at its Street Market, a recent addition to the centre which allows shoppers to support local.

The Street Market, introduced in September last year, is encouraging applications from all makers and small businesses to showcase their products and help expand their customer base.

Based in the main mall area of the Dolphin, Street Market stalls can be booked for initial trials with single day stall hire currently available, encouraging online businesses that may be interested in exploring physical retail.

Carmen Moore, Community Manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “The Street Market is another brilliant way for The Dolphin to champion all the wonderful makers and small businesses here on our doorstep in Poole. This addition complements what we offer in Kingland beautifully, a shopping district purely for local businesses which has been a big success since it launched last year.

“We encourage any small business owners who may be looking for a new selling platform to give our stalls a go.”

A business that has been trading at the Dolphin’s Street Market since its inception is &gooey, owned by Andreia Sousa. Specialising in brigadieros, a traditional Brazilian truffle, Andreia has highlighted how her time trading at the market has brought invaluable experience.

&gooey originally exclusively sold its products through its website when the business was first launched in December 2020, before Andreia decided to take the plunge and book a weekly trading slot at the Dolphin.

Andreia said: “Nothing is better than face-to-face contact with our potential customers and receiving their feedback in person is so much better than any online communication. The Dolphin Centre offers reasonable rent and everyone was super friendly. We met so many other businesses with amazing people behind them – they’ve have been so kind to share advice and support one another, which is a beautiful thing to see.”

The Dolphin Street Market is part of a wider initiative to breathe new life into Poole’s high street and make the centre a future ready space.

Trading hours for the markets are from 9am-5:30pm every Saturday and Sunday, and costs start from £20 per day.

If you are interested in learning more about the markets, please contact carmen@dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk