The Dolphin Centre’s GATHER unit, the latest addition to Poole’s retail offering, has brought a steady schedule of workshops, pop-ups and community-led offerings since its opening in September.

GATHER will host a diverse calendar of events over the festive period for shoppers to enjoy. Visitors can expect to pick up a unique gift for a loved one, learn a new skill or engage in some mindful activity to bring calm to a typically busy time.

Carmen Moore, Community Manager at the Dolphin Centre, said: “The concept of GATHER is just brilliant and the response we’ve had about the space in only three months has been exceptional. We’ve had a steady growth of interest and hosted such a diverse range of offerings so far. We aim to host 1,000 events each year and are well on track to meet this goal.

“GATHER is a space that is inclusive for everybody – an activity-based area to engage the community and totally transform that traditional mindset of what a shopping centre is and should be. Everyone at the Dolphin Centre is extremely proud of how that vision is coming to life.”

On 4-5th December, local game publishers Realm Runner Studios will be showcasing their new card game, named Achroma, making a perfect Christmas gift for card and board game lovers alike. The space will feature a gallery of Achroma’s artwork, plus the opportunity to meet the creators and play the game.

From 6-8th December, Bournemouth & Poole College’s Art department will be hosting a pop-up where students can showcase their work and sell to shoppers. 30% of proceeds from the sales will go directly to Forest Holme Hospice.

The Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) is hosting a Festive Creative Workshop every week until 15th December. These free workshops focus on adult employability and are for ages 19 and over, hosted between 10am-12:30pm. Sessions include creating Christmas collages, festive decorations, sculptural Christmas trees and more.

A Conscious Christmas event will take place on Sunday 12th December, encouraging visitors to shop more consciously and give preloved items a new home. A selection of local eco businesses will be in attendance and people are able to bring and buy preloved and new items.

After a successful two-week pop-up in September, the Poole Printmakers are returning for a 4-day pop-up to provide Christmas shoppers with affordable, unique art and a printmaking area. From 17-20th December, shoppers can turn up and view the artwork on offer while also trying their hand at printmaking to make a last-minute Christmas card.

The GATHER unit is located opposite Beales on the ground floor of the centre and was created as part of Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets’ (LGIMRA) vision to future-proof Poole’s retail offering.

GATHER is open seven days a week from 9am-5:30pm.To host an event in GATHER, please contact: gather@dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk and for more information about the Dolphin Shopping Centre, please visit: www.dolphinshoppingcentre.co.uk