CITY traders were today urged to go for gold by sprucing up their shop fronts ahead of next summer's Commonwealth Games.

They are being offered grants to cover the full cost of improvements, so long as the work is completed before the curtain rises on the sports extravaganza in July next year.

A pot of gold worth £400,000 is up for grabs for shopkeepers in the Parkhead Cross area.

The cash bonanza is part of a second multi-million pound boost for a townscape heritage initiative, launched seven years ago.

An initial sum of £3.5million was used to fund projects, which included restoration work at Parkhead Congregational Church and improvements to 20 shop fronts around the Cross.

However, project partners Glasgow City Council, Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund are together investing another £4m to meet the costs of the second phase.

And almost £400,000 is being set aside for more shop front improvements.

Traders in the Gallowgate are being targeted in a bid to improve the retail environment in the run-up to the Games.

Councillor Liz Cameron, executive member for Jobs and the Economy at Glasgow City Council, said: "By reinstating traditional shop fronts we hope to add to lcoal character, encourage greater footfall and increase the fortunes of the shopkeepers around Parkhead Cross. I would encourage all shop owners in the area to take advantage of this exciting opportunity."

Shop owners can find out if they are eligible and the grant application process by calling the council on 0141 287 8655.

Phase one resulted in improvements to 22 shops in the Gallowgate, Tollcross Road and Duke Street, which resulted in vacant sites being re-occupied.

Early work saw the reinstate-ment of Caithness stone to the Gallowgate's pavements and improved guard rails around the Cross. Repairs were also carried out to the B-listed former TSB Bank at the Cross and C-listed tenements in Tollcross Road.

The second stage will result in remedial work to prominent buildings, including the gate lodge at the Eastern Necropolis.

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk