Bournemouth's Lansdowne area.
Published: November 17, 2020 | Updated: 17th November 2020
Businesses can now apply for Local Restriction Support Grants
Businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole required to close as a result of the latest Covid-19 lockdown restrictions can now apply for a Local Restrictions Support Grant.
To be considered eligible businesses must have been:
Nightclubs and other venues that have been unable to reopen in any form since March 23, 2020 are also eligible.
Businesses must complete an online form to apply for the grant support.
The grants are intended to cover the four-week lockdown period running from November 5 to December 2.
The amount of grant support that may be awarded is dependent on the rateable value of each business.
Cllr Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Strategic Planning, pictured left, said: “I am pleased to announce that the application process for our Local Restriction Support Grant scheme is now live.
“I encourage you to check your eligibility and apply as soon as possible to receive your share of this available funding.
“I hope this provides some relief to local businesses who have been forced to close over the last few weeks.
“We remain committed to doing everything we can to support our resilient and varied business community.
“This will include a continued focus in the months ahead on critical areas and other key sectors that are vitally important to the success of our local economy.’’
One of several national government grant support schemes, BCP Council has received £8.2m in funding to administer Local Restriction Support Grants to local eligible businesses.
In addition to the Local Restrictions Support Grant, £7.9m will be provided to the council to issue Additional Restrictions Grants up until March 31, 2022.
This will include a discretionary scheme, with the details currently being considered.
Once agreed the council intends to launch this second scheme as soon as possible.
Businesses can check their eligibility, fill out the online application form and apply for LRSG funding via the council’s website here.
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Charities to benefit as financial firm marks first decade with 10 x £1k
A chartered firm of independent financial advisers is celebrating a decade in business by giving away £1,000 each to ten local charities in Dorset and the surrounding area.
Bournemouth-based Strategic Solutions Financial Services (SSFS) first opened its doors in 2010 when the four founding partners – Kevin Forbes, Allan Cruse, Giles Wellington and Jefferson Fawcett – all with backgrounds in finance, came together.
The company now employs 22 financial advisers with 11 qualified to chartered status.
The firm currently has more than 4,000 active clients across an area from Newton Abbot and Exeter in the west to Portsmouth in the east and up to Bath and the M4 corridor.
The company specialises, but not exclusively, in the management of investment portfolios and pensions.
It has helped over 30 small and local charities with regular donations over the last ten years.
The Strategic Solutions’ Community Foundation offers advisers a voluntary scheme to give up part of their gross income to contribute to a charity fund.
This, in turn, is matched by the company.
Founding Partners Jeff Fawcett, Allan Cruse, Kevin Forbes and Giles Wellington.
Recent projects include supporting the Dorset Deaf Children’s Society, life skills charity Safewise and financial education projects throughout secondary schools in Dorset and Devon involving David Thomas.
Jeff Steninger, Chairman of the Community Foundation, said the tenth anniversary provided the perfect oppoetunity to donate £1,000 to ten local charities within the areas covered by SSFS.
He added: “Our foundation has already supported a number of local good causes.
“We now want to continue this, especially in these very difficult times, by giving back to organisations local to us and putting a smile back on people’s faces.”
Allan Cruse, Partner, said: “On this special tenth anniversary, we want our clients to know that your trust and support has always been the biggest driver for our continued success.
“To our team, you all deserve a big round of applause for all your hard work and unconditional dedication.
“Congratulations and thank you all for being a massive part of the journey.”
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Challenges of starting and running your own business under discussion
The first Enterprise Nation Small Business meet up in Dorset takes place on Thursday, November 19, at 11am.
Hosted by Jim Chetwode, MD, Designed in Dorset, the relaxed session will discuss the challenges of starting and running your own business.
Enterprise Nation has created the Heads Up campaign to build communities of small business owners throughout the UK who can support one another.
The meet-up is considered ideal for anyone who wants to make connections, discuss challenges, ask opinions and share advice.
Jim is the owner and MD of several companies including a digital marketing agency, We Are Chain; an online pet store, Dogs Dogs Dogs, and also Designed in Dorset, a marketplace for Dorset.
He has more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing. working both for agencies and clients.
Jim, pictured left, said: “I have always been a fan of the support Enterprise Nation offers to small businesses and have personally benefited enormously from being a member.
“It is an honour to be asked to host these meet ups and I am really looking forward to meeting lots of new people from across Dorset.
“This will be a good opportunity for us all to share our own experiences and how we have dealt with the challenges of the current environment.”
To register for the free event, please click here.
