FOUR businesses have been given £1,000 to improve their premises.

Barrow's Business Improvement District (BID) launched the scheme to enable firms to access grant aid to give their firms a spruce up.

The money can be used to improve business premises frontages, with the aim to support as many businesses as possible to brighten up their premises and promote a sense of pride in Barrow Town Centre.

Barrow BID has set aside an initial amount of £25,000 into the grant scheme pot and hope to assist businesses this year and in 2019. The money can be used for a number of premises improvements, including; masonry, painting, window refurbishment, ironwork or woodwork, new signage, external lighting, canopies, external features and window vinyls. All proposed works will be assessed by Barrow BID and partners to ensure they meet the criteria of the grant scheme and adhere to any planning requirements.

BID manager Colin Garnett said: “In the past Barrow has had Shop Front Grant Schemes which have offered larger amounts of money to businesses, but we wanted to make this scheme open to everyone.

"As the fund is for ‘business’ improvement within the BID area, most town centre businesses will be able to apply, not just shops and retail premises.”

“Barrow BID recently ran a Best of Barrow Premises Competition, which provided me with the opportunity to assess business premises in the town. I was pleasantly surprised at many of the businesses who make a real effort to have attractive premises and this is evidenced by our winners; Best National – Pandora, Best Independent – Bumble Bees, Best Tour of Britain Display – Cumbria Embroidery, Best Market Stall – Ashley Rose."

Application forms can be downloaded at: www.barrowbid.co.uk/business-premises-grant-scheme