Ambience off Trinity Street in Dorchester closes its doors

Ambience Dorset, in an alleyway off Trinity Street, was a multifunctional retro café which served Cantonese cuisine, bubble tea, smoothies, and coffees.

It was also a licensed cocktail bar with DJ events taking place throughout last year.

Despite rave reviews on TripAdvisor and Facebook, the venue had to close its doors in the New Year due to a lack of income.

Its owner Suzhan Ngan said: “It was a tough decision. We had lots of faith of its potential and projects/ events ideas but after running out of time and money, I have become burnt out holding it up by myself.

“I have decided to move on from Dorset, I would love to go back home in Hong Kong for my family and work freelance projects in big cities.”

Giving Ambience a five star rating, one diner on TripAdvisor said the food there was 'absolutely outstanding' and that the 'person running it is so friendly and kind'.

They added: "Particularly outstanding for me was the kimchi and the Buddha beancurd rolls, but my daughter devoured the steamed char siu buns."

Another diner in their five star review wrote that Ambience was 'very hard to find' but had 'absolutely amazing amazing food, while another five star review praised the dumplings as 'so so good' and spring rolls 'to die for'.

Suzhan, 29, moved to the UK from Hong Kong when she was 16 and after graduating from the University of Arts London with a BA in Fashion Design, she relocated to Dorchester where she met her partner, Piers.

The pair subsequently began a catering business B8, selling homemade Asian lunchboxes around towns and festivals in 2017.

The business ended in 2021 following economic hardships caused by the pandemic.

However, Suzhan became inspired after seeing thriving artistic talent in the local area and the catering business was subsequently refurbished and renamed Ambience Dorset later that year. 

“I realised I was surrounding by talent, but they had nowhere to showcase their work. We wanted to provide a platform to be used as stepping stones for their arts/music journey – a space for creation, expression, inspiration, and connection,” she said.

The venue thus began hosting events with artists and businesses including Sugar Shack Dorchester and pop-up pottery club Pots n Pints. 

Last August the café hosted a book signing for Dorchester author Ange Hilstron as well as a special tearoom champagne event to celebrate her 94th birthday.

While saddened to see it closed, Suzhan is proud of what the café was able to achieve for the local community.

“Our business was really popular and successful with late night events, and we built a great community with arts and music. Lots of people came to visit from across Dorset and England by worth of mouth or the internet.”