If your business has been hit hard by the pandemic, you could be eligible for funding of up to £2,000 from Dorset Gateway, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP)’s business growth hub.

The new support package for small and medium businesses in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area is funded through BCP Council’s Bounce Back Challenge.

After an initial consultation to help leadership teams identify aspects of operation that have been impacted through the pandemic, Dorset Gateway’s advisors are on hand to signpost a wide range of support measures available. Whether that’s skills and talent development, improvements to systems, product innovation, access to markets or another aspect of business operation.

Rebecca Davies, head of Enterprise, Skills and Industry at Dorset LEP, said: “Businesses across the BCP Council area have been impacted significantly through the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole team here at Dorset Gateway are keen to help those hardest hit get back to business and emerge from the pandemic stronger and more productive.”

Back to Business support is available to any business is in the BCP Council area with fewer than 250 employees. Priority will be given to businesses where annual turnover has been severely impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Finn Morgan, business and engagement manager for Dorset LEP, said: “The type of support will depend entirely on the business need, but successful applicants can receive up to £2,000 worth of funding. Help and advice will come from a range of expert and professional delivery partners.”

Dorset Gateway’s Back to Business initiative is part of a much wider package of Bounce Back Challenge funding for business across the BCP Council area.

Cllr Philip Broadhead, deputy leader and portfolio holder for Economy at BCP Council, said: “Following a competitive application process, we are pleased to award this grant to Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership. This project is just one of many innovative initiatives that our latest package of discretionary business support will now bring to life. It will contribute towards Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s reputation as a place where businesses can continue to flourish and grow.”

Businesses in the BCP Council area can find out more and register for Back to Business support at: www.dorsetlep.co.uk/backtobusiness.