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Jan 21, 2024

Soldier who was shot in the neck is behind plans for major building transformation

A SPECIAL forces soldier left paralysed after being shot in Afghanistan is set

A SPECIAL forces soldier left paralysed after being shot in Afghanistan is set to transform a building in Poole.

Toby Gutteridge has purchased a detached business premises at 12 Lagland Street in the town centre.

He has plans to refurbish the building, and then re-open it in "a couple of months" as a multi-purpose facility.

The site comprises 2,640 sq ft and a 1,650 sq ft mezzanine, and has pedestrian access to Poole high street.

The purchase was made for an undisclosed sum by Toby's extreme sports brand ‘Bravery’, which produces ethical products including clothing and sunglasses.

Toby said: "The main aims for the building are that it can become a great meeting place - it will have a coffee shop with locally sourced products on the ground floor along with a Bravery retail outlet, a tattoo artist and barber's shop.

"The whole building will have a modern vibe with music playing, sports videos on TV screens and plenty of USB charging points.

"We intend to have large, extreme sports-related art works on the walls along with surfboards and skate decks and a motorbike hanging from the ceiling."

Toby, who was part of the Special Boat Service (SBS), was left paralysed after being shot through the neck whilst in Afghanistan in 2009.

Toby Gutteridge (Image: Deep South Media)

With this behind him, he is now ensuring that his building plans can benefit local military veterans.

Toby said: "The ground floor will also be used for community meetings, talks, film nights, etcetera, and the upper mezzanine floor will house the Bravery offices along with co-working spaces for local military veterans.

"We want the space to be used by local people who can enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the Bravery HQ and align with the Bravery mantra ‘Never Will I Die’."

Bryony Solan, an associate and chartered surveyor at Vail Williams, which has an office in Bournemouth, acted on behalf of the premises’ former owner.

She said: "Toby has exciting plans for 12 Lagland Street and we wish his retail brand every deserved success.

"The transformation of the building into Bravery's inspirational UK headquarters will stand as powerful testament to bravery, hope and resilience."