HR Consultant in Shaftesbury

A bit about Shaftesbury

History

The history of Shaftesbury dates back to Anglo Saxon times and particularly Alfred the Great. As he defended his kingdom against Viking invasion, he built a network of fortifications known as burhs. Shaftesbury’s protected hilltop location was perfect. That’s not its only royal connection. King Canute died there, as did King Edward the Martyr. During Medieval times it was home to the Royal Mint. By the time of the Domesday Book it only had a few hundred residents, but it was still a busy market town.

Over the years, it continued to grow and thrive, even after Henry VIII dissolved the local monastery. By the 17th Century, the main local industry was button-making, although there were also many local breweries producing beer. Button-making died out in the 19th Century, whilst at the same time, the town was gaining new innovations including gaslights and piped water. A new Town Hall and Market Hall were built in the 1800s. The population continued to grow, although the town experienced significant losses in the First World War. Today, it has a population of around 6700, but it still maintains its picturesque, market town feel.

Perhaps the most famous moment in the history of Shaftesbury came in 1973 when it became the setting of the famous bread advert with the “Boy on a Bike” on the steep slope of Gold Hill.

Location and travel

Shaftesbury is known as “the High Point of Dorset” and is in fact the only major settlement in the county to be built in such an elevated location. Gold Hill sits above the beautiful Blackmore Vale, just 20 miles from Salisbury over the Wiltshire border. Other Wilshire locations, and indeed the rest of the Southwest, are within easy reach, including cities such as Bristol and Bath and iconic landmarks such as Stonehenge and the Jurassic Coast.

It is easy to visit the town by car, as it is near the A350 and the A30. You can then make use of various public car parks. Shaftesbury also has its own coach park. The town doesn’t have its own railway station, but there is one in nearby Gillingham, just a few miles away.

Local amenities

In many ways, Shaftesbury is still a market town, replete with smaller, independent retailers, tearooms and cafés. Creative types will enjoy the artisan shops in Swans Yard as well as visiting the Arts Centre. There are various arts, music and food festivals throughout the year. You can also appreciate the town’s history through multiple museums, including one at Shaftesbury Abbey as well as the Gold Hill Museum & Garden. To enjoy nature and magnificent views, visitors like to take a stroll along Park Walk.

Providing HR support to Shaftesbury businesses

There are many unique businesses in Shaftesbury, each with specific HR needs. If you have staff, you need to be aware of the complex and often changing world of employment law. Let the experts at The HR Dept provide advice and support to ensure that from the moment you first establish your business, through building your brand and growing or changing in reaction to new circumstances, you and your team have everything you need.