A THRIVING PR and design company is certainly making all the right moves to forge a prosperous future.

And Appleby Bowers is justifiably blowing its own trumpet after receiving a £30,000 grant following its transfer to new premises.

Earlier this year, the company moved from Bury Old Road to considerably larger premises at Bank House Studios in Warwick Street, Prestwich. It was a return to their roots as part of a £500,000 investment.

The four-storey Edwardian premises that were originally a Co-operative Bank are where the design, marketing and PR company used to lease a floor ten years ago.

When Appleby Bowers, headed by Bernie Bowers, bought the new premises, the building was in need of refurbishment.

The renovation works to both the interior and exterior are now complete. As well as providing new office space for the expanding business, space in the building is also available for rent by other small companies in the creative industries sector. The project has generated improved business floorspace and the creation of new jobs.

Thanks to their efforts, Appleby Bowers has received a £30,000 Business Investment Programme (BIP) grant. This is an initiative by Bury Council, in conjunction with Groundwork Bury, which offers funding to small and medium-sized borough-wide businesses.

Financed through the European Regional Development Fund, grants are used for the construction and expansion of existing business premises and refurbishment of derelict or vacant premises.

Bernie Bowers, managing director of the Prestwich company, said: "The grant assistance from the Business Investment Programme has been vital in enabling this project to go ahead and helped us provide high quality, refurbished office space."

Councillor Mike Connolly, local authority executive member for environment and transport, commented: "It is pleasing to see a local company being able to relocate and expand and stay in the borough with the assistance of the Business Investment Programme."

For more information on the BIP and how it might benefit individual local businesses, contact Norman Dixon, Groundwork Bury business support adviser on (0161) 763 4185 or visit the web site at www.burybusinessgrants.bury.gov.uk instead.