Bournemouth Chamber of Trade & Commerce

Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce

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Tag: bcp council

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Financial support announced for businesses impacted by the Omicron variant

The UK Government announced additional financial support for businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant, particularly those in Hospitality and Leisure:

  • Businesses in the hospitality and leisure sectors in England will be eligible for one-off grants of up to £6,000 per premises, plus more discretionary funding will be made available for local authorities to support other businesses
  • Government will also cover the cost of Statutory Sick Pay for Covid-related absences for small and medium-sized employers across the UK
  • Further funding will be made available through the Culture Recovery Fund, enabling more cultural organisations in England to apply for support during the winter

BCP Council is currently awaiting further guidance regarding eligibility, timing and grant allocations and will communicate updates via our business newsletter, website and social media as soon as possible.

Find out more here from UK Gov.uk.

 

 

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Facebook Live – Transforming Cities Fund programme and improving your health with active travel

Want to ask us questions about our Transforming Cities Fund programme? Or find out how to improve your health through active travel? Join Councillors Drew Mellor and Mike Greene as well as Programme Manager Marc Griffin and Assistant Director of Public Health at Public Health Dorset, Rachel Partridge.
Join us on Facebook at 1pm on Wednesday 1st December 2021.

Click here for more information and set a reminder. 

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BCP Council: Submit a funding bid for a community project

BCP Council are inviting residents, businesses and community groups to submit bids for funding from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Portion for local projects which will improve, benefit and shape the development of their community for the future. The CIL Neighbourhood Portion is a fund generated from new housing developments for reinvestment back into improving local community facilities.

£1.2 million is available, and bids for projects can range from a few hundred pounds to tens of thousands of pounds where funds are available. Deadline is 5th July 2021.

For more information and application, click here. 

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BCP Council: How can we use digital technology to improve lives?

BCP Council’s  Smart Place programme is looking to use and develop technology to create digital solutions that will improve the lives of local people. From making affordable smart devices, promoting local jobs and events, creating augmented reality experiences, tracking local air quality and more, they want to make a worthwhile difference. They also want to support local businesses by accelerating the roll-out of high-speed networks to provide much better digital connectivity. Do you have ideas of how you want to see technology used? Then please let them know!

BCP Council want to ensure a focus is placed on doing the things that matter to you, which is where YOU come in! Please take a few minutes to complete their short survey below and tell us whether you agree with their aims and objectives. You have until 6 July.

Have your say. Click here.

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Step 3 restrictions to remain in place

The government has announced a four week pause at Step 3 in the roadmap out of lockdown. You should continue to follow the national guidance on what you can and cannot do. It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after two weeks in case the risks have reduced.

As a reminder, key rules for Step 3 include:

  • You can socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays
  • Up to 30 people can meet outside
  • Pubs, theatres and other venues can open indoors
  • Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for people on holiday
  • You should work from home if you can.

Click here to find out more.

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BCP Council: Funding community projects in Bournemouth and Poole

£1.2 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Portion Funding is available for local community projects across Bournemouth and Poole.

The funding is open to bids from residents, businesses and community groups and can range from a couple of hundred pounds to over £100,000, in exceptional circumstances. Projects must improve, benefit and shape the development of the community for the future.

Bidding is open until 5 July 2021.

For more information, click here.

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BCP Council: Business grants and innovative project funding update

This week we announced that business support organisations, groups representing the retail, hospitality, leisure and welfare sectors and local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) will collectively receive around £700,000 in grants for innovative local projects. This follows a competitive application process for ARG Stream 3 discretionary grant scheme.

Currently, we are working hard to process hundreds of applications for our Bounce Back Challenge Fund. This has brought to light a huge array of imaginative projects and creative ideas that will drive long term growth across the area. We’ll be sending out letters to all applicants informing them of our decision over the next few weeks.

All those who applied for the Exceptional Circumstances Fund are being notified of the outcome of their applications. Today we have started issuing around £768,000 in grant support to businesses that have not received any other grants so far.

Read more here on Financial Support for businesses from BCP Council. 

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Bounce Back Challenge Fund – One week left to apply

Local businesses of all sizes and types (including charities) have until Friday 7 May to submit a grant application for our Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

A limited number of grants are available for projects which demonstrate innovation, provide clear benefits for the local economy, generate pride in the place we live and are deliverable. We may award:

  • Up to £15,000 – for smaller projects or individual business ideas
  • Up to £70,000 – for larger projects which can include partnership or cross-sector working

All projects and proposals should be carefully considered. Please check the criteria and include as much detail as possible within your application.

Find out more and apply here. 

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Funding innovative local economic recovery projects

BCP Council are looking to provide funding for projects which demonstrate innovation, provide clear benefits for the local economy, generate pride in the place we live and are deliverable. 

Businesses of all sizes and types (including charities) within the area can apply for a grant through our Bounce Back Challenge Fund.

Open until 7 May, the competitive application process will be used to unearth and provide grants for a limited number of projects. We may award:

  • Up to £15,000 – for smaller projects or individual business ideas
  • Up to £70,000 – for larger projects which can include partnership or cross-sector working

Your proposal must be carefully considered and include as much detail as possible.

Click here for more information and how to apply. 

 

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£2.4 million in funding available to help turbo-charge the local economy

A new package of grant funding is being made available from Monday 19 April to assist in turbo-charging innovative economic recovery projects across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

As part of the next stage of BCP Council’s Stream 3 Additional Restrictions Grant scheme, local businesses, business support organisations, community partners and Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) will have the opportunity to apply for varying levels of grants. 

Funding will be provided exclusively for projects which demonstrate innovation, provide clear benefits for the local economy and generate pride in the place we live.

To ensure the £2.4 million is distributed evenly throughout the business community, this scheme will be divided into several parts. These include:

  • The Bounce Back Challenge Fund. Grants of up to £15,000 and £70,000 will be available for local businesses with standout projects in need of funding. These projects must meet the council’s main criteria. The application period will run from 19 April to 7 May 2021.
  • In addition, businesses in the Council’s R3 Economy Recovery Taskforce group will be able to apply for grants. This group is made up of leaders in local business, retail, hospitality, leisure and welfare sectors. Applications close on 5 May.
  • Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Bournemouth Coastal BID and Poole BID will be able to apply for grants. Representing nearly 2000 businesses, these organisations play a key role in attracting visitors and creating a strong local trading environment. Applications close on 5 May.
  • Up to 10 organisations, which provide business support, will also be able to apply for grants. BCP Council has approached a number of organisations directly, however, those that think they may be eligible are asked to contact the council via argstream3@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to receive and fill out an application form. Applications close on 5 May.

For more information and how to apply, click here.