Dorset Tech Business Proving That High Streets Are Not Dead
In a challenging year that has presented significant challenges to both businesses and the traditional high streets in Dorset and further afield due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, one business that has bucked the trend by investing in new jobs and premises is Gillingham based Dorset Tech, a social enterprise digital agency comprising web and smartphone app development, technology repairs, digital marketing and more.
The end of 2019 has seen the business move to Gillingham from its previous premises on the outskirts of Sturminster Newton and now occupying two shops on the high street. With both stores on the main high street of the Gillingham town centre, it offers both a front-facing “superhero themed” shop featuring a range of products from merchandise to clothing which opened at the start of 2020 in addition to the newly opened “Dorset Tech Bar”, which opened in October 2020, a few doors down, offering the majority of the company’s core services including web design, technology repairs and equipment sales. Both stores are accessible to the general public providing a vital and distinctive addition to a thriving town high street.
In addition to the new stores, Dorset Tech has also invested in 11 new jobs for local people with the hiring of a number of web development and technology repair specialists enabling the company to rapidly expand the range of services it offers to its customers, both new and existing. A further expansion of job roles is anticipated to be announced in coming months.
Chris Ryu, founder of Honest Tech Group, owners of Dorset Tech said: “In a year where many businesses, including some of our competitors have really struggled with the challenges faced by the coronavirus pandemic and the impact its had on businesses, it’s been a real source of pride for us at Dorset Tech to be able to arrive in Gillingham and rapidly expand at a pace that even exceeded my own expectations.
“Since becoming part of the Gillingham high street, we’ve felt right at home in a high street that is vibrant and welcoming and like many high street survivors and thrivers we’re really looking forward to what this year will bring!”
Josh Horsley, one of the employees taken on by Dorset Tech in 2020 as a 'Tech Hero' added: “Previous to joining Dorset Tech I had worked in a number of low-grade jobs including in a Warehouse. I was taken on by Dorset Tech and given training in a job that is the start of a career rather than just a job and it gives me the opportunity to make a living from something I’m heavily interested in with a great progression path. It’s as close to a dream job as I could get."
“Dorset Tech is a fun and friendly place where no two days are identical. I never thought I’d enjoy a customer facing job but I love doing this and delivering great things for our customers. Chris as an employer is great too, and I say this without him waving a fiver behind my back to say as much.”
Investing in the high-street is a core part of the ethos of the agency, whom are about to launch a platform promoting a "Back to the High Street" campaign designed to help shop owners compete with online retail.
For more information, visit: https://dorset.tech