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Published on Friday 04 June 2021

Local businesses will be able to bounce back and thrive, thanks to £3 million in funding for innovative long-term economic development and future growth projects.

Launched in April 2021 and running for two weeks, hundreds of applications for BCP Council’s Bounce Back Challenge Fund were received and have now been considered.

From today, all those who applied are being contacted. Funding is being offered to over 100 businesses to deliver projects which will generate pride in place and provide benefits for the wider economy.

Councillor Philip Broadhead, BCP Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, said:

"We’ve been amazed by sheer number of innovative project ideas that have been received. Having carefully considered all applications, we are delighted to now begin issuing this funding to local businesses. Their projects will play a key role in helping the business community to leap out of the pandemic and thrive over the next year.

"We believe we are the only local authority in the country to have developed this sort of discretionary scheme, which will ensure the success and vitality of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for the future.’’

"Stay tuned over the next few weeks as we will be sharing some of the exciting projects which will now be brought to life.’’

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), business support organisations and groups representing the retail, business, hospitality, welfare and leisure sectors have already been awarded £700,000 in project funding.

Over the next few weeks, BCP Council will also be issuing around £1 million in grant support through its Exceptional Circumstance Fund. This funding is specifically for businesses that were severely impacted by national restrictions and not been considered eligible for any previous schemes.

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