I’ve just come of a video call with Drew Davis, the inspiration behind this quest. He said stop trying to set it up all neatly and just go for it. Announce it and go. Subscribe to the email list please.
I have some wacky ideas about the potential future of the foodie industry in Dorset and how that can contribute to the county’s economy. I have some ideas about how business in general might change, or needs to change.
I will explore and share with you. I will ask for your input that might change the course of this journey, but that’s the whole point.
My social channels show I love food and drink, hence my focus on the foodie sector, but who knows, that may well develop.
Some thoughts I have are about creating clusters in Dorset where visitors can get to and then quickly access local cheesemakers, charcuterie, cookery schools and wine producers all within 15 minutes of each other. Maybe guest houses start appearing nearby.
All this makes it easy for visitors to spend more money, that gets pumped into the local economy.
By having interesting clusters around Dorset, it may mean people are more willing to move out of town and businesses. This could then mean freeing up space for entrepreneurs to start new businesses, for that London lot to move down and bring new businesses, skills and experience.
I’ve quickly written about the ageing population, that is living longer, so if you don’t have the workers and revenues to sustain local social and healthcare services, then it could become very difficult place to be.
Are there better ways to use the existing networks and resources, to deliver more, literally? More and more businesses sharing logistics, so van delivery is cheaper, the reach is greater and the customer service is better.
Can hotels in conurbation areas get Best of Dorset Hampers delivered ready for Sunday collection at breakfast? When visitors leave, they leave with the best produce from the county. Does that then improve the availability and choice on our high streets too?
Who knows?