Our new Business Directory is designed to highlight the many excellent businesses operating in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset, the second largest centre of population in South West England.

The Business Directory creates an opportunity for local firms to establish new markets and trading partners and source skills or components within the area.

The 2009-10 edition takes as its theme the new Multi Area Agreement (MAA) for Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset. Residents and businesses will benefit from a long-term plan for sustainable economic growth, extending to 2026.

These are exciting times for the conurbation - new business opportunities are emerging as the lead up to The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games gathers momentum, and regeneration projects in Poole and Bournemouth unfold.

In response to demand, the Directory has been published in a range of formats including interactive CD, and is also available online at www.bournemouth.gov.uk The Directory has been sent to all companies listed, advertisers, appropriate business support agencies and other relevant organisations and is also distributed at business events locally and abroad.

We would like to thank all the businesses and organisations who have contributed to the Directory and hope that you will continue to benefit from the range of information that it provides. We welcome any feedback and look forward to receiving your views at edu@bournemouth.gov.uk.