Business Support

Businesses wishing to relocate to Dorset can benefit from a comprehensive support framework facilitated by the Invest in Dorset team, comprising:

Tailored commercial property searches, encompassing location guidance, property tours, and orientation visits, provided at no cost.
Facilitation of connections with legal, financial, and commercial property experts, along with access to their respective services.
Assistance with employment matters, including access to labour market insights, introductions to recruitment agencies and training partners.
Guidance on international trade, as well as more local information on Trading Standards requirements.
Customised introduction services to assist businesses with relocation to Dorset.
Access to finance and funding opportunities as well as other business support within the Dorset area.
Provision of business advice and access to specialist services.
Introductions to business mentoring services and networking opportunities.
Access to local business intelligence and information.

The Invest in Dorset team comprises economic development expertise committed to facilitating investment and expansion prospects within Dorset. Our mission is to ensure that companies and investors receive comprehensive assistance to thrive within our region.

More information

Business Growth Dorset

For more information on the business support, resources, information, and growth programmes available to help you start-up, scale-up and sustain your business visit Business Growth Dorset.

Sector Specific Support

For sector specific support visit the dedicated sectors page on Business Growth Dorset

Dorset: Framework for Growth

This strategic document, published by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership in March 2025, sets out a shared understanding and ambition for the pan-Dorset area to provide an evidenced starting point for businesses, partners and stakeholders to collaborate to stimulate growth and improve the prospects for people living in the pan-Dorset area. View the document here.

BCP Council Economic Strategy

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) is the UK’s newest city region and it is brimming with prospects, positivity and pride. Find out more about their current Economic Development Strategy.

BCP Council Business Support

For more information on the business support programmes available from BCP Council as well as information specific to businesses in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area please visit the BCP Council Business website

Invest in BCP

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) makes up one of the leading growth areas on the South Coast. It is a place where culture and heritage meet innovation and modernity, village meets town, country meets coast. Visit the Invest in BCP website.

Dorset Council Economic Strategy

Dorset Council’s new Economic Strategy identifies the ambitions and intentions of a range of stakeholders and partners, to help make Dorset an even better place for business through working together and being ambitious for growth.  Find out more here.

Dorset Council Business Support

For more information on the business support programmes available from Dorset Council as well as information specific to businesses in the Dorset area please visit the Dorset Council Business website

Great South West

As the Pan-Regional Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, the Great South West is focused on shifting the needle on UK economic growth; driving the UK economy forward, and leading in globally critical sectors for the UK. Visit the Great South West website.

Great South West: Economic Insights

Discover data and research into the region’s economy and growth, businesses and innovations. Visit the Great South West Insights webpage here.

Dorset Innovation Park

Dorset’s only economic development site with Enterprise Zone status and a thriving hub for innovation in the South West with a mission to provide the ideal places, spaces and infrastructure to support internationally significant innovation. Visit the Dorset Innovation Park website.

Commercial Property Search

For more information on finding suitable premises or land in the Dorset area please visit our Commercial Property Search page

Visiting Dorset

Visit this website to find out more about Visit Dorset.