Expansion for business centre

A BUSINESS centre which supports start-up firms in south Bradford is expanding less than a year after opening.

Grid Bradford South, based on Low Moor Business Park and run by social housing landlord Incommunities, has become home to four more enterprises taking its total to seven following its launch in February.

It is one of three Bradford Grid centres funded by Bradford Council’s enterprise service Kickstart and the European Regional Development Fund offering access to advice and office space.

It aims to help small businesses at a similar stage of growth to work alongside each other and share their experiences of starting out.

A ceremony to mark the extension of Grid Bradford South is taking place today.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy,  said: “Grid Bradford South has been a real success and acts as a terrific incubator for small businesses.

“By providing fundamentals like desks and phone lines as well support and advice, we are helping start-ups on their way to become small and medium sized enterprises which help grow our local economy and jobs market.”

Facilities available at Grid Bradford South include meeting and presentation rooms and access to office equipment such as high speed internet access and photocopiers.

New businesses based at the centre include a marketing and social media company, a roofing firm and a recruitment agency.

Shelley Tasker, the enterprise coach based at the centre, said: “We have a wide range of businesses based at the Grid and they are all very supportive of one another.

“I work closely with all of them to nurture them along. Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect but the Grid is designed to remove the fear and replace it with support and facilities that make the experience as straightforward as possible.”

For further information about Bradford Grid, which also runs offices in Park Lane Centre and Carlisle Business Centre, contact Bradford Kickstart on 0800 953 9503.