Over half of a £50,000 investment from Dorset LEP in a new Crowdfund Dorset Business initiative has already been allocated. This is in the form of up to £5,000 match funding.

Recipients include Parley-based family-run shoe designer and manufacturer, Sole Buddy, Bournemouth based classic rock bar Zephyr and the Coda Music Trust.

Sharon New, founder of Turn Footwear and Sole Buddy manufacturer, said, “We were a 90 per cent wholesale business prior to COVID-19 and have had to pivot quickly to sell directly to customers online. Our successful Crowdfund campaign and the match-funding from Dorset LEP helped make this possible at the perfect time, just as the ‘back to school’ season began, allowing us to upgrade our website for online shoppers and deliver these wonderful new school shoes, designed to keep young feet healthy.

“The support, encouragement and community spirit we received from the campaign has been a revelation and we are glad we put ourselves out there.”

The Crowdfund Dorset Business campaign is still open for applications and Dorset LEP hopes to have issued the full amount by the end of the year. If your business needs a cash injection to bounce-back from the effects of COVID-19, or you know of someone who could benefit from this scheme, find out more at crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/crowdfund-dorset-business.