INFORMATION about financial issues and money for business is one of the most frequently referred to areas when businesses contact Bolton Business Information Service.

We always stress the importance of seeking professional business advice in this area, for instance, via the Business Link network or Bolton Enterprise Services.

However, it is possible to do some background work yourself via the internet. Despite monumental growth in online information, one of the areas that it isn't always easy to find good information on is grants.

Sites such as Grantfinder www.grantfinder.co.uk/ and Grantpoint www.eprcltd.strath.ac.uk/grantpoint are primarily intended to promote the commercial side of the site providers with registered access necessary.

However, Grantfinder does have a useful links page with access to the Small Business Service site www.sbs.gov.uk

This contains very useful updates, particularly on Government sources of finance, which you can follow up via the local Business Link.

Meanwhile www.j4b.co.uk does allow you to register for free with and undertake a basic search of its database.

However, if you are a local start-up the www.bbsu.co.uk

site gives handy details of finance and support available via a variety of schemes offered by Bolton Enterprise Services. Schemes available via Bolton Business Ventures meanwhile should be found on www.bbvonline.net

However, if you are seeking financial information about competitors then a range of alternative sources are available. One of the best free sources is CAROL www.carol.co.uk/

Users do have to register for this site, though it gives worldwide access to company reports and financials.

Meanwhile, Hemscott's site www.hemscott.co.uk provides some basic free to access information without registration. However, registration again gives further access to enhanced features such as balance sheets. These sources tend to cover larger enterprises.

If you have an inquiry regarding this information contact the BBiS team on 336139. Meanwhile, Bolton Enterprise Services can be reached on 336163 for details of their services. Business Link North Manchester is available on (0845) 6083388.

By Rob Hughes, manager, Bolton Business Information Service