Age-friendly Bournemouth Town Centre Microgrants

Funding to help you better support your older customers and community

If you’re a business in Bournemouth Town Centre BID, you can now apply for a small grant of £150–£500 to make changes that will benefit older customers (aged 50+) and the wider local community.

This funding comes from the Centre for Ageing Better, as part of a partnership with Bournemouth Town Centre BID and BCP Council, who are working together to make Bournemouth more age-friendly.

Why it matters

Right now, 21 million people in England are aged 50 or over – that’s nearly 2 in 5 of us. But many older people feel undervalued by businesses, despite having money to spend and lots to offer. These microgrants aim to change that by helping local businesses become more welcoming and inclusive.

What the funding is for

You can use the grant to pay for small improvements or actions that make your business more accessible or appealing to older customers. This could be anything from better signage and seating to staff training or new products and services.

Key Dates

• Applications open: July 2025
• Deadline to apply: 5pm on Friday 25 July 2025
• Results announced: Week of 18 August 2025
• Funding paid: August 2025
• Funds must be spent by: 31 October 2025
• Project follow-up: December 2025

Please note: Applications may close early if demand is high, so apply as soon as you can.

Who can apply?

You must:

• Be a levy-paying business within the Bournemouth Town Centre BID area.
• Use the Expression of Interest form and submit it in Word format.
• Plan to carry out the improvements between August and October 2025.
• Send your completed form to localities@ageing-better.org.uk by the deadline.

What we’re looking for

Applications will be assessed based on how well they match the Age-Friendly Business Framework, which includes:

• Your people: this covers your employment practices and the vital customer-service skills required to build and maintain your older customer base
• Your premises: creating an environment that is safe, accessible, warm and welcoming both inside and outside your business premises
• Your communications: considering your methods of communication and use of appropriate language and imagery to attract and retain older customers
• Your offer: providing products, activities and services that cater for the range of needs, interests and preferences of a diverse older population
• Your place within the community: how your business can play a role in supporting the local community including those in the 50+ demographic.

We’re especially interested in ideas that remove barriers for older people and show a clear benefit.

How to apply

1 – Download the Expression of Interest form

2 – Watch this video about the Age-Friendly Business Framework

3 – Send any questions to localities@ageing-better.org.uk by Friday 18 July 2025

4 -Submit your completed form by 5pm Friday 25 July 2025