Business

By Andrew Diprose of dorsetbiznews.co.uk Award-winning restaurant Al Molo is to expand into Dorchester creating ten new jobs. Co-owners Giuseppe Vannucci and Tim Newton have secured the lease of the historic Judge Jeffreys building on High West Street. The listed 17th century lodgings contains two Jacobean rooms, Tudor fireplaces and is one of the few surviving timberframed buildings in the town. Refurbishment work has already been commissioned with Al Molo Ristorante Di Pesce due to open its doors this Spring. It will be a sister restaurant to Al Molo in Weymouth. Launched in 2015, the restaurant in the seaside resort transformed the Pier Bandstand into a favourite destination for Italian food. Tim and Giuseppe swiftly achieved national recognition from the Italian Chamber of Commerce with the Marchio Ospitalità Italiana seal of quality award. Last year it took the coveted Gold Award for Restaurant Of The Year in both the Dorset Tourism Awards and the South West England Tourism Awards Building on that success, the new restaurant, Al Molo Dorchester will move away from the traditional Italian focus to bring fresh locally caught fish to the forefront of the menu. Giuseppe said: “I am excited to take the Executive Chef role in our new restaurant and have some wonderful ideas for the new menu. “Expect the best of Al Molo with a new direction. “Whilst Al Molo in Weymouth will continue to reflect delicious food born from our Italian roots, Al Molo Dorchester will celebrate our home here on the wonderful Dorset coast, with a strong focus on fresh, locally caught fish. “We believe it’s the perfect location for us to continue sharing our passion for food and look forward to welcoming new guests and old friends.” With Giuseppe’s move to Dorchester, the Head Chef role in the Weymouth restaurant will be filled by Fabio Guasco. Fabio’s promotion comes after several years of dedication to the Al Molo culinary programme as Sous Chef. His previous experience includes fine restaurants in Genoa, the five-star The Dorchester London and working alongside Giuseppe in his previous restaurant – Bacco in London. Tim said: “We are thrilled to bring a new dining experience to Dorset’s county town in such a stunning and famous building, as we expand our footprint across Dorset. We are looking forward to welcoming guests when the doors open this Spring. “Our team in Weymouth have been instrumental in our success, especially through the recent difficult trading period, which we are most grateful for. “We are delighted to offer further employment opportunities with the opening of this restaurant”. Further announcements will be coming prior to the launch.

GREAT TASTE: Al Molo co-owners Giuseppe Vannucci and Tim Newton, and, below, the former Judge Jeffreys building in Dorchester New jobs on the menu as Al Molo opens up in town

By Miranda Robertson

newsdesk@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A young couple who bought their dream business four years ago, selling fruit and veg from an established greengrocer’s in Bridport, amassed an amazing 17,000 views on Facebook after their post about home deliveries and keeping their small business afloat struck a chord. Larissa and Chris Kemm, who are both 30, live in Salwayash with their foster son, 13, whom they took in last summer. He is their first foster and “a brilliant kid,” says Larissa. “Being foster parents is brilliant – we absolutely love it. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.” The pair were working for Bridget’s Market on East Street when it was put up for sale in 2017 – Larissa knew it was the opportunity they had been looking for. “Bridport is full of quirky independent shops,” she said. “Chris and I worked for the previous owners and really liked working in the business, so when came up for sale we jumped at the chance.” The shop has been a mainstay of the high street in Bridport for decades. Its colourful offerings are arranged on a table outside each morning, after Chris makes his 3am trip to Bristol to pick up fresh stock and once they have fulfilled the orders for pubs and restaurants. When lockdown struck, they leapt into action, offering boxes of fruit and veg delivered to people’s doors. The uptick was immediate and huge. Larissa said: “It all went a bit crazy. We were delivering upwards of 70 a day. It was amazing. The veg boxes really kicked off. “We had a few friends on furlough we got to help with deliveries and it was just so busy and full on.” As the restrictions have eased though, they are finding business a bit quiet, hence the Facebook post asking if people would still like home deliveries of fruit and veg. The boxes start at £5, and they can be all fruit, all veg, customised –whatever customers want. Larissa believes increasing their delivery service could ultimately hold the key to the success of their business and is keen to hear from people in villages who would like their boxes delivered. “We only need five people in one place to make it viable,” she said. “If there are more than five

ALL GOOD FOR YOU: A selection basket from Bridget’s Market and, left, carrots and, right, daffodils

When it comes to fruit and veg, they’re the top bananas who really know their onions

HERE WE ARE: Chris and Larissa Kemm, centre, with the team at Bridget’s Market and, below, a selection of the healthy fruit and vegetables on display at the shop

households ordering in, say, Maiden Newton, that would pay for our fuel. “Our home deliveries are now down to eight to 15 a day, which we are still very grateful for and we love to do but we could really do with a few more to keep us going. “We just wanted to remind everyone to please try and support local businesses when you can as every penny helps!” She added: “We have always done deliveries but I think home deliveries could help secure our future. We would love to establish a home delivery network, from Portland to Lyme.” She added: “I love this shop more than anything. It’s a quirky little shop in a quirky little town and I love it. “We have lost so many fantastic local businesses recently which is such a shame and we really want to keep our little greengrocers for as long as possible.” They are currently delivering in Bridport and surrounding villages, Chideock, Lyme Regis, Axminster, Weymouth and Portland. n Anyone who would like to register an interest in the fruit and veg boxes can message them on Facebook (search for Bridget’s Market Bridport) or call them on 01308 427096.