THURROCK Council is offering 13 new businesses the chance to bid for a £1,000 cash injection.
 

The authority is relaunching its bursary programme which saw nine borough start-up businesses awarded £1,000 last year.
 

The programme, which allows businesses to buy vital equipment and services, is running in conjunction with the ERDF Low Carbon Business Programme from Monday, January 14.


To be eligible, businesses must have a plan that demonstrates action to reduce its carbon footprint, and submit an application form with a strong business which will be evaluated by the bursary panel.
 

They must also be operating or starting a business with its main address in Thurrock, started after January 2010, be registered for VAT or National Insurance Type 2 contributions, or Companies House.


The company must also have a viable business plan.


WR Meats Ltd was one of the companies which benfited from a bursary last year.


They took over an established but run-down shop in Corringham, and the bursary allowed them to install a new awning to the shop front.
 

As well as sprucing up the shop front, the awning which enabled the business to keep direct sunlight away from meat products and reduce their energy bills.


The closing date for applications is March 1 2013.


For more information, or an application form, email business@thurrock.gov.uk, call 01375 652271, or go online to www.thurrockbusiness.net.