TOWN businesses were given a financial boost last month courtesy of East Hampshire District Council.

A scheme to help Whitehill and Bordon’s businesses proved so popular that the project was recently extended, giving 10 more the chance to take up the council’s offer.

The retail support programme offered independent retailers in the town grants of up to £1,000 to make improvements to their businesses, as well as providing workshops and coaching sessions.

Last month the latest businesses were awarded certificates to recognise their hard work. These were presented by the Mayor of Whitehill and district councillor (Liberal Democrat) Sally Pond and leader of Whitehill Town Council and district councillor (Co-nservative) Adam Carew.

Businesses receiving help in the latest round of the scheme were: Bushnell Porter Estate Agents, Chap-plins Estate Agents, Camb-er Garage Doors, Fried Chicken Ranch, Crowders Aquatics, Bordon Care, Forest Cards, Chandlers Opticians, Forest Cobbler and the Forest Cafe.

The scheme has been run in partnership with retail experts Vision On (business-support advisors for Greater London), the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company and Orchard Grove Asset Management, which are all working alongside the district council to support local businesses as part of the regeneration of the town.

To date, 24 businesses have been helped with grants, one-to-one business coaching and interior-design advice. Mr Carew said it was “great” to see so much being done to support retailers in Whitehill and Bordon and highlighted the importance of helping existing businesses, and attracting new ones to the town.