Sophie Cridland

Hundreds of people queued at Howleys toy shop in Weymouth to buy specialist glasses for the UK’s most significant solar eclipse since 1999. After selling 500 pairs, a staff member collected 4,500 more from 120 miles away, but those sold out within four and a half hours. Customers described waiting for hours to secure glasses for their families. Experts warned that viewing the Sun without certified eclipse glasses can cause lasting eye damage and advised against using ordinary sunglasses or dark goggles, recommending indirect methods such as a pinhole camera instead.

Dorset Police is expanding Project Vigilant in Bournemouth and Weymouth, using uniformed and plain-clothes officers to identify and intervene against men displaying predatory behaviour, harassment or sexual misconduct toward women and girls. The initiative builds on a Thames Valley Police programme that found many identified suspects were already known to police for sexual offences. Its approach was praised by the Angiolini Inquiry into the Sarah Everard case, while local politicians and community events have helped maintain pressure for safer streets.

Rising fish, energy and labour costs have pushed the average price of fish and chips in the UK to more than ten pounds, with cod and chips reaching £11.41. Dorset fish shop owner Jon Long says higher VAT, increased fish prices, energy costs and tariffs linked to reduced Russian‑caught imports are squeezing margins. Many shops are adjusting portion sizes or turning to alternative fish species to manage costs. Despite the challenges, Long believes the industry has a future and has reopened a previously closed shop with careful cost management.

Extreme heat in June led several independent shops in Dorchester to shorten hours or close as footfall dropped and indoor temperatures became difficult to manage. Business owners described unbearable working conditions, with some reporting melting displays and stagnant air. The Dorchester Business Improvement District introduced a subsidy covering part of the cost of portable air-conditioning units and fans to help shops cope with future heatwaves. Rising temperatures are expected to return in the coming days, leaving local businesses preparing for further disruption.