Christchurch and East Dorset Councils are pleased to announce that we will be providing up to £65,000 in match-funded grants specifically to support new and existing small businesses across the region. It will continue the success of our Going for Growth programme, giving targeted support to boost new businesses locally. The scheme will provide new and aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs the great opportunity to start-up and grow. We will be helping to fund all those who participate in a new support programme which is being run on our behalf by Business West.
There will be three types of grant on offer:
- A ‘Business Start-Up Grant’ providing match funding of up to £500 to support new start-up businesses.
- A ‘Digital Media Business Start-Up Grant,’ with £5,000 available to support new digital media start-up businesses.
- An ‘Existing Small Business Training Grant’ to help existing small businesses develop their staff and assist with business growth. This will provide match funding grants of up to £500.
Businesses who wish to access the grant funding must attend one of the Business West workshops or clinics that we will funding and will be free to attend. These will include one-to-one Business Support Clinics, and an ‘Express Enterprise’ workshop that will help teach the fundamentals of setting up in business. Additionally, workshops on Business Planning and Finance, designed to support potential and new entrepreneurs, will give in-depth help on developing robust, investment-ready plans and financial forecasts.
Cllr Claire Bath, Portfolio Holder for Economy at Christchurch Borough Council said: “We are excited to be able to offer this support. It will really aid local people to start new businesses, grow existing ones and enable entrepreneurs to turn their great ideas into reality.”
The Portfolio Holder for Economy at East Dorset District Council, Cllr Simon Tong, said: “We will continue our ongoing efforts to create the best opportunities for new businesses in the Christchurch and East Dorset area. These grants will really give aspiring businesses a great opportunity to develop and grow.’’
The scheme is being run alongside Business West, an independent organisation that is dedicated to helping the support and growth of businesses in the UK. To date they have helped over 2,000 business owners with the challenging experience of starting and growing a business. Christchurch and East Dorset Councils are happy to be working alongside Business West to create the best opportunities in our area.
To find out more about the workshops you can visit: www.businesswest.co.uk/business-solutions/starting-a-business/christchurch-and-east-dorset-workshops or call 01275 367 233.
For more information on the work of Christchurch and East Dorset Councils Economic Development Department visit: https://www.dorsetforyou.com/economic-development/christchurch-and-east-dorset.