Providing HR Support to Holton Heath Businesses

The diverse nature of the many different companies based in the Holton Heath trading park means that each has its own very specific HR needs. The HR Dept has the breadth of experience that allows us to provide guidance and services to all these businesses, whatever their size or industry sector. 

Our advice is highly practical and informed by our in-depth understanding of employment law, ensuring that both you and your staff can feel comfortable that your rights are protected and your responsibilities fully understood. Regardless as to the size and nature of your Holton Heath business or your plans for the future, we can specifically tailor our support to your distinct requirements.

A Bit about Holton Heath

History

In 1890, Sir Elliot Lees, a baronet and Conservative MP, bought South Lychett Manor and its surroundings in Dorset for his family home. It remained in the family until 1914, when a large part of the land (minus East Holton Farm, which later became Holton Lee, an environmental and arts centre serving people with disabilities) was purchased by the military and turned into the Royal Naval Cordite Factory. The location was chosen because the area was sparsely populated, but also had good transport links. 

During the Second World War, the Lees family finally sold the manor, whilst the cordite factory became a target of German bombing. A complex plan was set up involving turning nearby Arne into a decoy. Arne burned whilst the Holton Heath factory was saved. After the war, the factory was closed, and the site became used for research until the military finally abandoned it in the 1990s. Today, part of the old factory site has become a trading estate, whilst another part is the Holton Heath National Nature Reserve.

Location and Travel

Holton Heath is in the parish of Wareham St. Martin, not far from the market town of Wareham and nearby Wareham Forest. It is a predominantly rural part of Dorset, situated in the southeast of the county just a few miles from the harbour at Poole (which once had its own jetty for transporting the factory’s cordite by boat). Part of the reason Holton Heath was chosen for the cordite factory was its transport links. It has a dedicated railway station, with trains running directly from London Waterloo to Weymouth. The most significant main road is the A351, running directly to Poole from Wareham.

Local Amenities

It may be a small and relatively quiet area, but Holton Heath does have its own amenities, including pubs, cafés and B&Bs. A nearby farm park is a popular attraction for families, allowing children playtime and animal experiences both inside and outdoors. You can also find opportunities to hire kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes in Poole itself, which has a wider range of shops and services. Holton Heath nature reserve includes areas of heath and woodland, but the majority of it is closed to the public. 

Businesses in the trading park itself include engineering and construction firms, healthcare companies, car and motor services, transportation and haulage, printers and a wide range of other industries, from the creative to the more practical.