RETHINK LOCAL

RETHINK LOCAL

INTRODUCTION

Pier is an independent community platform celebrating and promoting the creative culture of Dorset. Through authentic storytelling across print, digital and events, we connect our audience with the very best of local life on the South Coast.

WHO WE ARE

At the heart of what we do is Pier Journal, an independent print magazine launched in 2022. From the coast to the countryside, and everywhere in between, the journal offers a fresh perspective on Dorset’s evolving community and culture. We shine a light on local creatives, champion independent businesses, and foster meaningful connections through thoughtful storytelling and beautiful design. Each issue is created in collaboration with a talented network of local writers, designers, photographers, illustrators, and printers who share our values, bringing concept-driven projects to life with passion and purpose. Today, Pier is an instantly recognisable, trusted, and influential voice in Dorset’s creative landscape, having grown into a respected brand with a loyal readership across the county and beyond.

Meet the dream team

  • Sammy Murphy

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Sammy moved to Bournemouth from London during the pandemic and founded Pier to shine a spotlight on the culture and community she discovered here. An experienced designer with some big names under her belt, including The Sunday Times, she now runs her own design studio, Studio Glass, alongside her husband Chris. There, she’s worked on a wide range of creative projects, including the award-winning rebrand of the New Forest. Sammy’s the reason Pier looks so beautiful, bringing her design magic to everything we do – and she’s also the driving force behind many of our standout events.

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  • Laura K Williams

    CO-DIRECTOR

    Born and raised in Bournemouth, Laura is a journalist by trade who spent over 15 years in Bristol, where she founded and ran several independent publications, including Bristol 24/7 and The Bristol Cable. When she returned to her hometown a few years ago, she met Sammy, and the pair joined forces to grow the magazine. A lifelong campaigner for social and environmental justice, Laura brings her passion for storytelling and community to everything she does. When she’s not volunteering for Pier, she writes for national newspapers and magazines and is mum to two young boys.

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  • Bethany Piper

    PRODUCTION EDITOR

    Meet Bethany, our Production Editor at Pier Journal. She’s the one making sure every issue comes together smoothly, drawing on years of experience writing website copy and honing her skills in editing, content creation, and storytelling. Bethany originally worked as a maths and English tutor but switched careers to follow her passion for writing and creative projects. Having recently moved from Poole to Dorchester, she’s happily settling in with cosy cafés, stacks of books, and plenty of video games. When she’s not polishing pages, you’ll find her reading, gaming, or perfecting her next piece of writing.

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  • Amy Shepherd

    CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

    Amy is passionate about using her writing skills to support causes that matter, working to make the world a better place through thoughtful, impactful storytelling – for the charity sector and purpose-led brands, including Pier. Inspired by the Dorset landscapes she loves exploring, Amy draws from the coast and countryside to bring a fresh perspective to her work. When she’s not creating content, you’ll find her foraging for mushrooms, hiking with her family, or hosting her seasonal plant-based supper clubs – always weaving creativity and a love of nature into everything she does.

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  • Donna Marie Smart

    EVENTS

    Born and raised in Bournemouth, Donna’s passion for community and supporting local culture is the backbone of everything we do. Her love for events has helped Pier become more than just a magazine – creating opportunities to connect directly with the people who make this place special. Now working as Community & Events Executive at PATCH, Donna continues to bring people together, and we’re lucky to collaborate with her often in that space.

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  • Nat Carr

    DESIGN

    Nat is a talented graphic designer with a passion for creative projects that make a difference, including the Bournemouth Toy Libraries and the Association of Independent Festivals. She works as a Graphic Design Technician at Arts University Bournemouth and brings a love of print and publishing to everything she does. At Pier, Nat supports Sammy in shaping the magazine’s design, helping to bring each issue to life with clarity and style.

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  • Izzy Wedderburn

    ILLUSTRATOR

    Izzy is a Dorset-based multidisciplinary creative, designer, and photographer specialising in print, illustration, and outdoor storytelling. As the founder of New Mountain Magazine and a dedicated ‘mag-head’, she crafts bold visuals and narratives inspired by adventure and the natural world. Izzy has been Pier’s house illustrator since Volume 1, helping to shape the magazine’s distinctive look and feel.

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  • Becca Perl

    WRITER & ILLUSTRATOR

    Becca is our resident foodie writer and illustrator, bringing her love of local produce, people and places to the pages of Pier Journal. Based in Christchurch, she has a lifelong passion for storytelling and a background that spans journalism, communications, and creative copywriting. Her work blends thoughtful writing with expressive illustration, celebrating Dorset’s food culture and the community that makes it so special.

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  • I’ll be the first (in a queue) of people to say thanks to YOU for all of the energy and joy you bring to us and to Bournemouth. This is what a good partnership feels like and we continue to learn a lot from being alongside you.

    Freddie Fforde, Founder of Patch

  • The Pier team are honestly one of the most wholesome groups ever. That's reflected in everything they do. I can't think of anyone who supports their locality as much as them. Continue doing everything you do!

    Luke Jefford, Head Chef of Modern Times

  • A beautifully crafted journal. You can tell that time and effort has been put into this work. From the features and story telling through to the design and layout. So nice to have a magazine that celebrates creativity and community in Dorset.

    Benjamin Clarkson

  • I’d like to fanboy a little and say how exciting it is to FINALLY have somewhere to showcase what is - in my view at least - the biggest potential for the area. I love it, and it fills me with some much-needed local pride. Thank you.

    Ceej Rowland, Gullivers Farm Shop

  • We are here and it’s finally time for the epic Pier Journal to shed light on everyone hustling their own business. Hats off to the duo behind this mag for stepping out on their own to do something to help showcase everyone else.

    Emma Rowland, Pen Gallery

  • How do two young relative newcomers arrive in a town and quickly start to define its creative scene? Pier Journal seems like a small miracle of clarity about the people living and making in the many districts around Bournemouth.

    Timo Peach, Momo:zo

  • It's a stand out piece of design. It's difficult to cut through the noise, but you have done it - with bells on. Brilliant work.

    Chris Wilson, Blu Inc Studio

  • It really is a great publication featuring some of our incredible local talent. We are lucky to have it here in the local area.

    Aaron Blandford, Riptide Espresso

  • Such an inspiring, energetic, positive pair with BCP at the heart of everything they're trying to achieve!

    Hannah Porter, BCP Council

  • Just a note to applaud your first edition of Pier. BRILLIANT. Visually beautiful, insightful and inclusive articles and just what this area needed.

    Richard Richards, Actuation Consulting

  • We just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your journal. We picked it up from Westbourne a week or so ago, and read it cover to cover. Inspirational and so well put together. Congratulations!

    Ian Reeves and Tony Read, Residents of Poole

  • SO thrilled when I picked it up. The area is crying out for it.

    Emily Waller, Resident of Southbourne

  • Beautiful journal, things like this are so needed locally and refreshing to say the very least!

    David Mundson, Resident of Bournemouth

  • This is such a beautiful publication, we're in absolute awe. Lots of great tips and fantastic articles on local businesses and places to visit.

    Bournemouth Beyond

  • We just wanted to say a huge thank you and show absolute pure gratitude to Pier Journal for thinking of us, for featuring us and for supporting the small independent businesses that are beginning to shape a new future for Dorset.

    Angela Piomatti, Calabrese Kitchen

  • I’ve been following Pier from the outset and totally LOVE what you’re doing. Moved back down here from international work in 2020 and your whole philosophy is exactly what Dorset needs. Thank you thank you thank you. You also inspire me to try harder and do more. Not to be held back by how you’re going to fund something.

    Laura Jump, Resident of Wimborne

  • There’s so much to celebrate about Dorset and Pier has made that come to life perfectly in print form. Thank you to Pier Journal and all the team for bringing this amazing journal together.

    Roz Pike, Photographer

  • As someone who has only moved to BCP over the last few years, I have been delighted to find the Pier Journal. It has introduced me to services and businesses that I would not normally identify as I go about my day-to-day activities, and the in-depth look at several of the businesses is extremely helpful. If you are looking to learn more about BCP, then I highly recommend getting hold of a copy - or be like me and become a subscriber!

    Keith Gould

  • Pier Journal is a real breath of fresh air in Bournemouth’s creative scene. The content is bold, vibrant, and full of heart – celebrating local talent, small businesses, and creative initiatives in a way that feels genuinely passionate and community-driven.

    Amanda Wright

  • Love Pier!! Bournemouth and its surrounding areas sometimes get a bad rep as a little sleepy with not much going on. Every edition of Pier proves that Dorset has so much to offer (and does so with stunning illustrations and 10/10 design).

    Jane Mitchell

  • A true gem dedicated to celebrating Dorset and the South Coast. Showcasing hidden treasures and local talent. Lovingly put together by an incredibly talented group of volunteers, and bringing people closer in every beautifully designed page.

    John Saborido

  • Where would we be without Pier Journal?? It's clear to see they're a hard-working team who care about the local community. They do a wonderful job at showcasing people and business in Dorset. Keep it going!

    Elissa Davies

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GET INVOLVED

GET INVOLVED

Pier thrives on collaboration, partnering with like-minded brands to bring creative projects to life – whether through events, special editions, or something entirely new. If you have an idea or project in mind, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email, and let’s create something great together.

Get in touch

Get in touch

Come join the Pier community and collaborate with us to connect with our local audience. Illuminate the fantastic work you're doing and extend your reach across Dorset and beyond.