BCP Council has already implemented the first phase of funding. This attracted more than 800 applications and awarded over £2m to local businesses from the available £4.3m Local Discretionary Grant fund.

The secondary application window will be open until Sunday 2 August. To be considered eligible, businesses must have been trading on or before 11 March 2020 and not received any other grant support so far.

The wider criteria will now cover businesses who trade from a residential premises and businesses that can demonstrate a significant fall in income because of COVID19 (the restriction of 50 per cent or more has been removed).

In addition, phase two will be open to businesses with fixed property costs and a Rateable Value below £100,000 that are still unable to open from 25 July due to government rules. Previously this was only applicable to those with a Rateable Value below £51,000.

Businesses that previously applied for this scheme but did not meet the criteria in the first phase may now be eligible. These applications will be automatically reviewed and considered in phase 2.

Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said, “We’re pleased to be expanding the criteria and opening up grant awards to businesses who previously did not qualify or sat outside of the priorities set by government.

“If you missed out on the first phase, please check the criteria online and apply as soon as possible. I would also like to ask that you supply as much evidence as possible to ensure we can process your application as quickly as possible once this second window closes.’’

For more information and to apply, please visit: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/DGSbusiness

All applications will be reviewed and payment made as soon as possible after the closing date.