Businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have received a total of £125 million in grant support during the pandemic.

BCP Council was one of the first authorities in the country to launch a discretionary scheme of targeted business support for local industries deemed to be most in need.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Economy at BCP Council, said, “I am delighted that we’ve been able to issue so much, so quickly, to so many businesses in our area and across nearly all sizes and sectors.

“While many challenges remain for our business community, we now have a clear roadmap for reopening the economy and l want to assure you that we will continue to do everything we can to support your businesses going forward. This includes setting aside a further stream of discretionary support specifically to help you reopen safely, bounce back and recover. The details for this scheme will soon be revealed.”

The total figures in grant support issued during the last year, include a further £9 million in grants payments which have been issued automatically. These payments are to cover both rate paying and non-ratepaying businesses across the conurbation for the 16 February to 31 March 2021 period.