THE Borough of Poole has been saluted for its efforts to support small businesses.

The council took two titles at the Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) Small Business Friendly Awards.

While other councils were recognised for highly commended initiatives, borough of Poole was rewarded for ongoing support.

It took the prize for Most Innovative Small Business Friendly Programme, Project or Campaign for its work to promote small businesses and its local town centres – including Small Business Saturday, Mystery Shoppers, Independents Day, the introduction of pop-up shops and part-funding of the Driving Urban Enterprise (DUET) scheme to help residents from deprived areas to start up businesses.

It also took the trophy for Best All Round Small Business Friendliness for its continuing commitment to business. Its initiatives for SMEs include New in Business courses, support for Dorset Growth Hub, the relaunching of the Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Forum, the production of a Poole Business Directory and the creation of a business support and advice brochure.

Poole council leader Cllr Janet Walton said: “We are thrilled that the council has been recognised not once but twice for its ongoing support for Poole’s small businesses community. We are committed to providing a range of initiatives that help small businesses realise their full potential and we are pleased that these awards reflect this commitment.”

Neil Eames, the FSB’s development manager for Wessex, said: “It is very encouraging to see such great efforts from local councils to help stimulate and provide an impetus to the British economy through small businesses.

“We hope that the awards provide a platform for councils to share their successes in promoting and championing local economic development. It provides us with an excellent opportunity to promote the best examples of good work to all councils across the county, and further afield. This will go some way to help to drive the improvement of local government delivery and performance to support our local business community.”

Ken Moon, the FSB’s Wessex regional chairman, said: “The FSB clearly sets out to lobby local and national government, but we also realise that we must recognise the work that councils undertake, which in essence, helps our members. Similar to pressures on many businesses, we are aware of financial pressures on councils as well, and will try to acknowledge any organisations that go ‘above and beyond’ what may normally be expected in order to ensure that the small business voice is not only heard but acted upon.”