HERE are five businesses which have opened in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in November.

Hotel Chocolat 

Chocolate lovers were in for a treat in November when premium brand Hotel Chocolat opened its first Dorset shop. 

Located at the old EE site just off Woodbury Roundabout’s entrance, the shop also has a Velvetiser Café, serving iconic 'velvetised' drinking chocolate and other hot drinks.  

Customers can select from thousands of combinations to personalise their drink, including 18 flavours served hot, over ice or as a chocolate shake with dairy milk or a plant-based alternative. 

Read more here: Hotel Chocolat to open cafe and shop in Bournemouth 

Bournemouth Echo: Hotel Chocolate, Castlepoint

Lidl   

Lidl opened not one but two supermarkets in Dorset this month. First was the reopening of the Ferndown shop in Ringwood Road.   

Featuring a new look, the old shop was criticised for being outdated and in need of a new facility.   

Elsewhere, around half a year later than planned, the German retailer opened its supermarket in West Parley, off Christchurch Road.   

Read more about Ferndown here and West Parley here 

Brazilian Snacks Art and Café 

Originally launched in London by two sisters, Easmin Yehia and Iohanna Yehia, this Brazilian café launched in Bournemouth town centre. 

It serves traditional snacks and coffee and showcasing stunning art. 

Although they currently serve smaller dishes and desserts such as cheese bread, traditional Coxinha and acai bowls, Iohanna hopes to introduce main dishes in the future. 

Read more here: London based Brazilian café launches in Bournemouth 

Bournemouth Echo:

BigWigs bakery 

The family-run business Bigwigs already owns three sites in Tuckton, Highcliffe and Westbourne and has now opened a fourth venue in Bournemouth town centre. 

The owners said they were inspired to create a customer space where people can chat and relax with friends and family. 

BigWigs offers a large variety of bakery-style goods, including homemade bread, doughnuts, cakes and pastries, all made fresh at the Tuckton site. 

Read more: Bournemouth bakery BigWigs 'excited' to be opening 

Bournemouth Echo: The Team on Open Day (Image: Dove Brown and Tom Bew)

Maru 

Featuring a Korean-British fusion menu, this new restaurant was opened by Hyunsil Park who has joined forces with chef and long-time friend Young Joo. 

It has a new grab-and-go feature for takeaway, including fresh Korean sushi, homemade kimchi, award-winning Crow Farm pork pie, homemade kimchi sausage rolls, and Korean-style sandwiches. 

Young is a talented chef and has a passion for art, a number of her paintings are displayed in the newly refurbished restaurant. 

Read more here: Bournemouth Korean-British fusion restaurant reopens 

Bournemouth Echo: Hyunsil Park and Young Joo