MORE than 80 businesses have signed up to be the first members of the new shared workspace due to open in Poole’s Dolphin Centre next month.

Foundry, a £3million project in a disused part of the shopping centre, will be a base for up to 250 people.

The first members include growth consultancy Aparo; Vault X, which makes binders and boxes for trading cards; property network Poole Property Club; and business community You Are the Media.

Adam Walker, co-founder of Foundry, said: “Foundry is for everyone. It creates a diverse, unique environment for people to come together to work, share ideas, network, and socialise with new connections made. I am so proud of the unique curated community we have already built ahead of Foudnry’s launch.

“There truly is no better feeling than already having more than 80 brands and entrepreneurs understanding exactly what we are passionate about creating here in Poole and how Foundry will really help to elevate, enhance and grow their business.”

Foundry is a joint initiative with the Dolphin Centre owners, Legal and General Investment Management Real Assets (LGIM).

Alex Chisnall, podcaster and founder of the podcast agency Podpreneur, said: “I'm really looking forward to being part of the community at Foundry in Poole. The regeneration of Poole is long-overdue and both Adam Walker and Legal & General should be applauded for their vision. I for one can't wait to see what we can achieve together."

Lee Taylor, marketing and business development director at the law firm Steele Raymond, said: “Collaboration and a sense of coming together to create a community are both becoming increasingly more important for business owners, and the incredibly talented people working for them over the last few years.

"Foundry will be a hugely influential destination right in the heart of Poole that will help facilitate this movement in the business community and bring substantial benefit to business owners, their teams, and the surrounding community.”

Taking up two storeys at Brownsea House, which has previously been a job centre and a dance studio, it is one of several new uses being piloted for space in the centre.

It offers serviced offices and shared workspace, with spaces rented by the day, week or month.

Foundry is partnering with You Are the Media to make the price of its April 27 Creator Day event more accessible and offer attendees free access to work from its site.