Poole Business Tips

(Poole, Dorset, England, UK)

The main businesses in central Poole are tourism, retail, hospitality and finance, including the banking and insurance sector, which is become an important part of town's economy. Poole is a busy town, with tourists arriving throughout the year.

As a result, there are a large number of shops and restaurants in the town centre, often lining the harbourfront and providing an excellent choice. The hotel industry also reflects the high number of tourists and Poole is full of seaside accommodation options, with competitive prices.

Poole has been an important financial town for many years an there are a number of impressive, stylish office blocks within the town centre, such as the head-office for Barclays Bank, which employs hundreds of people in the area. Also, on the outskirts of Poole are several large businesses, including large financial institutions, such as JP Morgan and Chase and numerous office buildings. The pace of business life tends to be fairly relaxed and less hectic than other areas of England.

Business Hours and General Etiquette

In both dress and manners, locals in Poole are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality necessary depends upon the actual nature of the business, with financial and legal professions being more formal than computer and media organizations. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable in the summer months in Poole. Woman may also wear suits, but tend to be more casual in appearance.

Business hours in the Poole area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:30, although some offices may close slightly later and a number offer 'flexitime'. Many shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets are open 24 hours. Banks in Poole generally open from 09:00 to 17:00 and larger branches may also open on Saturday mornings.

Working lunches are a popular way to do business in Poole and locals are quick to use first-name terms when appropriate.

Greeting Someone

A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Poole and generally throughout England. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms in England.

Smoking

Many restaurants in Poole have a strict 'no smoking' policy, although some do tend to cater for smokers in different areas. Most offices and businesses are now 'non-smoking' and although the British have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only smoke when in the company of like-minded people.