Council to launch £6.3m business scheme

A £6.3m initiative to support SMEs in Bradford has been drawn up by the city’s council.

The three-year programme is designed to help fill the gap left by the end of the Government’s local enterprise growth initiative which has helped Bradford Council support 1,500 new businesses and create 5,000 jobs over the last five years.

Mike Cowlam, Bradford Council’s assistant director for economic development and property, said: “This plan aims to offer localised assistance to people thinking about becoming self-employed, particularly in the most deprived parts of the district.

“It will also seek to help start-ups and more established small firms with high-growth potential on issues like expanding into new markets, supporting innovation and increasing competitiveness.

“The two joint aims should help to develop the local economy through the creation of new jobs, the safeguarding of existing jobs and raising the aspiration levels of people currently out of work.”

The new programme would be delivered by the Council working with the University of Bradford and other community-based organisations.

Funding is expected to come from the local authority and the European Regional Development Fund.

The plans are due to be discussed at a council meeting today.