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

And Appleby Bowers is 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.

It was a return to their roots as part of a £500,000 investment, for 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.

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 new jobs.

Appleby Bowers received a £30,000 Business Investment Programme (BIP) grant under an initiative by Bury Council and Groundwork Bury which offers funding to small and medium-sized businesses.

Grants from the European Regional Development Fund are used to construct and expand business premises and refurbish derelict or vacant premises.

Appleby Bowers managing director Bernie Bowers said: "The grant assistance has been vital in enabling this project to go ahead and helped us provide high quality, refurbished office space."

Councillor Mike Connolly said: "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 website at www.burybusinessgrants.

bury.gov.uk instead.