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Dorchester


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Population
16,160

Summary
The historic Dorset town of Dorchester was the Durnovara of the Romans (who founded it in 70AD) and the fictional Casterbridge of Thomas Hardy’s novels.  The town has a busy shopping centre and flourishing market.  It has long been recognised as the administrative centre of the County.  There is a variety of commercial estates catering for light industry and high technology.  Plans for the future of Dorchester are closely tied in with the Prince of Wales inspired mixed housing and light industrial development at Poundbury, on the western fringe of the town.

Communications
Dorchester lies at the junction of the A35, south coast trunk road, and the A37 to Yeovil and the north.  It also has direct rail links to both London and Bristol.

Commercial land
Dorchester offers a number of established industrial estates across the town with new office and industrial business space at Poundbury on the western outskirts.  There are also a number of industrial estates within the Dorchester area: Enterprise Park at Piddlehinton and Hybris Business Park at Crossways.

Dorset Cereals

Major employers
  • BAeSEMA (aerospace)
  • Dorset Cereals (food and drink)
  • Dorset County Council (local government)
  • Henry Ling (printing)
  • House of Dorchester (food and drink)
  • West Dorset General Hospitals (health)

Further Information
Helen Heanes
Dorset County Council
+44 (0)1305 224677
h.e.heanes@dorsetcc.gov.uk

 
Bournemouth Borough Council
Dorset County Council
Borough of Poole
 
For further information contact us on:
+44 (0)01305 224797