A west Dorset community and business hub is evolving and has launched a new look and feel.

Broadwindsor Craft Centre will be no more and has been rebranded and developed as Redlands Yard.

Announced this week, following the impact of Covid-19 to local businesses, the managing company of the restaurant and shop at Broadwindsor Craft Centre has had to cease trading. The individual business units on site do not fall under the same ownership and therefore remain unaffected by this change, enabling them to remain open for business.

The craft centre, which has been operational for more than 3o years, has undergone a number of changes over the last few years and owners Colin and Sarah Williams have been re-evaluating their business plan as to the next stage developments of this hub in west Dorset.

Sarah said: “Firstly, we will be phasing out the name ‘Broadwindsor Craft Centre’ and are excited to build a new vision for the site that will continue to serve as a place to enjoy good company, experience warm hospitality, visit fantastic local suppliers of products and services. With that in mind, Broadwindsor Craft Centre will be no more, and we will be building a new look and feel under the banner of Redlands Yard.

“Our vision is to create a vibrant hub of independently trading businesses operating in a variety of sectors, including retail, personal service, health, financial and hospitality to name a few.”

As part of this next phase development, the owners are also reviewing ways to establish and maintain financial stability while maintaining ‘the same collective core of community spirit the craft centre has enjoyed over many years’. Some of these plans may include restructuring the layout of the site, as well as enabling the restaurant and café to continue.

Colin said: “Despite the challenges that so many of us have had to go through over the past three months, we are excited by the idea of starting again, with a renewed vision and to continue building on the hard work that the craft centre has enabled over the course of 30 years, to attract visitors to Broadwindsor and serve as a creative retail space that enables small businesses to thrive and visitors to create new memories.”

For more information on Redlands Yard, visit redlandsyard.co.uk