The Dolphin Shopping Centre steps into Christmas

The Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole is preparing for the festive period with various activities including a pop-up Christmas shop, Forest Holme’s Tree of Remembrance and the opening of three brand-new retailers.

This year the centre’s iconic Christmas tree, located outside in the middle of Falkland Square, will be used by Forest Holme Hospice as its Tree of Remembrance. Shoppers can write a message for a loved-one on a star, which will hang on the tree in return for a small donation to the charity. Forest Holme also has a contactless donation station in the centre, just outside Beales, making it easier and safer to donate this season.

As Forest Holme Hospice is the centre’s chosen charity of the year, it has been invited to set up a Christmas shop in the Dolphin’s Eco Hub. The shop is now open and will sell Christmas cards, wreaths and a range of handmade items made by the Forest Holme craft group.

John Grinnell, Centre Manager at the Dolphin Shopping Centre, commented: “Christmas is looking a little different this year and we wanted to provide shoppers with a festive experience, within a safe environment, at the centre. It is great to welcome Forest Holme Hospice into the Eco Hub unit, the pop-up shop looks brilliant, and is the perfect destination for handmade Christmas presents.

“We understand that given the current circumstances, fundraising for charities has been hit hard. We are pleased to provide the hospice with a space to sell locally sourced items, to raise money for its vital services throughout the festive period.”

The centre is also welcoming three new retailers which are set to open just in time for festive trading. All three retailers are part of the centre’s #WeAreKingland project, which is set to rejuvenate Kingland Crescent. These include Grounded Coffee, a coffee shop with an on-site roaster, Greenslade – a fishmonger that has historic ties to Poole town centre, and HUX – a custom surfboard and repair shop.

To facilitate the expected demand of shopping in the run up to Christmas, the centre has extended its opening hours. The centre is now open from 8am to 8pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and 10.30am to 5.30pm on Sundays.

In addition, centre management has identified the following times are the quietest within the centre, to help maintain its safe environment: 9am to 11am and 3pm to 8pm, Mondays to Saturdays and 12pm to 4.30pm on Sundays.

Shoppers are encouraged to visit www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk for the latest opening times, including individual retailers and general centre opening hours over the festive period.