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£10m of Start Up Loans delivered to Bournemouth business owners

Press release 17 June 2026

Entrepreneurs in Bournemouth have received over £10 million in funding from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme since its launch in 2012. Latest figures show that almost 1,000 loans have been delivered across the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch (BCP) local authority area, with an average loan value of £10,821. Data from the programme, which provides government-backed personal loans and mentoring to new businesses, highlights its role in supporting a broad range of entrepreneurs across BCP. 

Almost four in ten Start Up Loans (38%) have been delivered to female business leaders – well above other comparable sources of finance. A third of loans (32%) were directed to young business founders aged 18-30, with 13% going to those aged 50 and above. Among the younger entrepreneurs aged 18-24 who received a start-up loan, almost a quarter (24%) were not in education, employment or training. 22% of Start Up Loans recipients in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch were previously unemployed.

One local business to benefit from the programme is Circular11, a Christchurch-based company that transforms mixed plastic waste into durable plastic lumber used in products such as decking, fencing and outdoor furniture.

The owners received a £21,000 Start Up Loan in 2024, which helped founders Ben Gibbons and Connor Winter further develop their manufacturing process and grow the business. Since then, Circular11 has gone on to raise £2.5m in further funding, including a recent £250,000 loan from SWIG Finance, enabling the business to scale production and expand its operations.

Circular11 is now producing significant volumes of recycled material each month and working with major customers like National Highways and Stanstead Airport, demonstrating how early-stage support can help innovative businesses grow rapidly.

Ben Gibbons, co-founder of Circular11, said:

Getting that initial Start Up Loan made a huge difference for us. It gave us the platform to move from an idea to something we could properly test and grow.

Since then, we’ve been able to raise further investment, scale up production and start working with much larger customers. I’d really encourage other entrepreneurs in Dorset to take that first step – it can open the door to much bigger opportunities.

Small Business Minister, Blair McDougall, said:

The government is determined to unlock the UK’s immense growth potential and that means ensuring entrepreneurs can access the finance they need including through the Start Up Loans programme.

This is an impressive milestone for the programme which has supported entrepreneurs and businesses in Bournemouth boosting the local economy and raising living standards.

Louise McCoy, Managing Director, Start Up Loans Products at the British Business Bank, said: 

It’s fantastic to see how the Start Up Loans programme has supported entrepreneurs like Ben and Connor across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. Reaching £10 million in lending is a significant milestone and reflects the strength and ambition of the local business community.

Businesses like Circular11 show how early-stage finance can help turn innovative ideas into high-growth companies, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth.

Matt Wilde, managing director of SWIG Finance, said:

At a time when so much attention is focused on how to cut down or recycle our waste, it’s great to see a business like Circular11 delivering such an innovative solution. We were pleased to support the company with its initial Start Up Loan and are delighted to continue backing its next stage of growth as it scales and reaches new markets.

The Government last year announced a £1 billion expansion of the Start Up Loans programme as part of its ‘Backing Your Business’ plan. Based on internal Bank estimates, the expansion could contribute approximately £1.3bn in additional UK economic output, generate £3.1bn of turnover, and create 12,600 jobs over the life of the finance.

Further Information

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Notes to editors

About Start Up Loans

The Start Up Loans programme provides personal loans for business purposes of up to £25,000 at a fixed interest rate per annum and offers free dedicated mentoring and support to each business.

The primary aim of the Start Up Loans programme is to ensure that viable start-ups and early-stage businesses have access to the finance and support they need in order to thrive.

A network of Business Support Partner organisations supports applicants in all regions and industries throughout the UK. The Start Up Loans programme is not designed to generate a commercial profit. Capital payments together with the interest are recycled to help meet increasing demands for finance.

Free guides on a range of subjects related to starting a business are available on the Start Up Loans website. You can find recent media press releases here.

The funding for the Start Up Loans programme is provided by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The Start Up Loans programme is operated by The Start-Up Loans Company, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, registration number 08117656, registered office at Steel City House, West Street, Sheffield, S1 2GQ.

The Start-Up Loans Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Business Bank plc which is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. British Business Bank plc and its subsidiaries are not banking institutions and do not operate as such.

With the exception of BBB Investment Services Limited they are not authorised or regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority or the Financial Conduct Authority. BBB Investment Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. A complete legal structure chart for the group can be found at british-business-bank.co.uk.

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