Hopes are rising that BCP Council will come to the aid of the night-time economy and events sector across the conurbation.

It has received little, or no, assistance since the start of the pandemic.

But, in a statement, Cllr Philip Broadhead, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Strategic Planning, said the council was looking at what grant help could be made available.

He added: “We are keen that those businesses who have not yet received help and support, and are in dire need, are at the top of the list.”

His pledge came in direct response to the release of a powerful video on social media by Ty Temel, the Bournemouth nightclub owner and events promotor.

As of November 15 it had reached nearly 100,000 people.

In the seven-minute video, filmed as Ty walked through his empty and deserted Halo club, pictured right, the entrepreneur warned: “I won’t lie, I fear for Bournemouth.

“In fact, I fear for the whole of the night-time economy and events sector across the BCP conurbation.

“All of which are literally on a cliff-edge.

“BCP (Council) – if you are watching I am pleading with you.

“Please focus your grant aid on the late night and events sector.

“We have, as yet, received little or no funds at all.

“We have to make the situation very clear to you.

“With no help these businesses could face financial ruin, permanent closures and, in turn, job losses.

“If this happens there will be huge economic, safety and social consequences.”

Within hours of the video being published on social media, including Facebook and LinkedIn, it had been liked and shared hundreds of times.

Among the 130+ people commenting on Ty’s Facebook account was Cllr Broadhead.

He wrote: “On it, Ty.

“We’re finalising ways we can help!”

In a more detailed response, Cllr Broadhead, pictured left, said: “Whilst many businesses and sectors have been recognised and helped by the government throughout the pandemic, the night-time economy is one of the areas that clearly needs further support.

“Not only is it a vital piece in the jigsaw of our local economy and tourist sector, but it contributes to the offerings for our young people, students and vibrant & dynamic communities.

“Cllr Mellor [Drew Mellor, BCP Council Leader] and I along with local MPs have been pushing government to recognise the challenges that this sector is facing, and we will continue to do so.

“In the interim, we are looking at what is possible for us to assist with under the discretionary grants which the government have issued to our council.

“We are keen that those businesses who have not yet received help and support, and are in dire need, are at the top of the list.

“We’re enlisting the help of the Dorset Growth Hub and Dorset Chamber to help us identify the most in need.

“Details of what help we are allowed to offer will be firmed up in the next week.

“Finally, we are also focusing on what happens when lockdown finishes, hopefully in early December.

“Christmas is not cancelled, and we hope that we can support our various sectors to try and hit the ground running once we return to some semblance of business as usual.

“We live in a great place, with fantastic local business who are agile and ambitious.

“I’m confident that we can all bounce back from this, together.”

In his video, Ty pointed out the UK late-night leisure sector contributed £66bn to Gross Domestic Product, equivalent to six per cent of GDP.

It employs 1.3m people.

Ty said: “The Bournemouth hospitality sector produces an estimated £134m annual revenue to the local economy – £74m from licensed premises and £60m from restaurants.

“This does not include revenue created by feeder or supporting businesses such as transport, cleaning, entertainment, promoters, accommodation providers, retail, leisure, and others.

“For example, Bournemouth’s town centre bars, pubs and clubs spend almost £5m per year on security staff.

“Estimates on reduced capacity post Lockdown 1 vary between 12 and 35 per cent.

“Taking an average 24 per cent means that during the re-opening period the hospitality sector suffered a reduction in revenue from £134m to £32m annually pro rata.”

Commenting on Cllr Broadhead’s response to his video, Ty said: “The impact the video has had is fantastic.

“Obviously the idea behind it was just to send a heartfelt plea to BCP, to visually convey our anguish.

“To put any personal pride to the side and literally ‘beg’ for help with people’s livelihoods in our sector.

“The video has had an astonishing reach of nearly 100k people through shares, likes etc.

“Plus the feedback and support has been genuinely touching.

“People don’t want to see their town die out.

“I want to thank Cllr Phillip Broadhead for his direct response.

“From his statement, he understands we have been left in the shadows and has made a transparent and specific commitment to aiding the night-time economy.

“I look forward to seeing that statement backed up with a targeted financial package and measures to re-mobilise us.”

On the day Ty released his video, BCP Council announced that businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will soon receive £8.2m in Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) funding.

It is issuing the available grant support to eligible businesses which have been required to close as a result of the latest Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

In addition to the RSG, £7.9m is to be provided to BCP Council to issue Additional Restrictions Grants up until March 31, 2022.

Details are currently being considered.

Once agreed the council intends to launch the second scheme as soon as possible.