FORWARD-looking Bury companies could secure finance of up to £20,000 to help fund workplace "facelifts."

Cash grants to enable local businesses to carry out external environmental improvements are now available under the latest round of the BIP (Business Investment Programme).

Managed by the Bury Business Environment Association (BEA) on behalf of Bury Council, BIP is now embraced within the East Bury Initiative.

This has received more than £5 million from the Government's Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) to deliver a seven year programme of improvements.

The BIP implements environmental improvements within the inner industrial areas of the borough.

Its focus is to improve the condition and appearance of buildings and access to industrial premises, providing car parking, treating derelict and vacant land and bringing vacant floorspace into use. Companies throughout the borough which are given approval for their schemes will receive an award of up to 50 per cent of the total project cost, up to a £20,000 maximum.

The BIP is open to privately-owned businesses which employ less than 250 staff and whose turnover is below £30 million.

Companies interested in taking part in the initiative can contact Bury BEA to arrange a visit to discuss the scheme and to explain the application process.

Firms must get two estimates for the work, fill in the application form and provide a sketch or a plan of the area under consideration and where improvements will be carried out.

Individual applications for the cash grants will be considered by an independent panel and, on approval, successful companies will agree terms of conditions.

All grant-funded work must be completed by the end of the current financial year and be based upon the estimate supplied.

The launch of the latest BIP was held at newly-constructed premises in Hudcar Lane, occupied by Maguire Engineering, Peel Construction and a training company.

Maguire, on behalf of the three businesses, received a cheque relating to a successful application in the last BIP round.

Any business interested in taking part in the scheme should contact Bury BEA on (0161) 763 4185.