Completion nears on industrial park which should create up to 100 jobs
Building work to complete the first phase of work at Providence Park industrial site on the edge of Keighley town centre is on course for completion next month.
The development of the former Universal Mills site, on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road, began in April 2023 and has received funding through the Government’s Keighley Towns Fund.
As well as housing industrial units, part of the site will be used by Keighley College as a Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub.
The hub will be used to provide students with academic and practical experience, and achieve T-level qualifications.
Work is progressing on the five buildings which will house the units – the smallest of which is 1,600 sq ft with the largest at 8,900 sq ft.
Part of the site’s original mill building has also been retained and converted to a unit suitable for a café or other retail use.
Tim Rogers, chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “This is another very exciting commercial development for Keighley, and an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town through the creation of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub in partnership with Keighley College.
“We believe across the site between 80 to 100 jobs will be created, which is a real boost during the current economic climate, and we anticipate local businesses will be keen to link up with the hub to provide apprenticeships.”
The Keighley Towns Fund has set aside £6.5m towards the £12m re-development of the 75,350 sq ft site.
Bradford Council’s executive member for planning, regeneration and transport, Alex Ross-Shaw, said: “Demand for employment sites is huge across Keighley and the whole of the Aire Valley so this development is much needed and welcomed.
“The properties have full solar panel coverage and air source heat pumps which will provide sustainable heat and hot water across the site.
“There is some work still to complete such as some internal works to each unit, fencing and gates, final surfacing of parking areas and the installation of EV charging points but it is on course to finish as scheduled.”
Once the initial phase is finished in October this year, the college unit is to due to be completed by early 2025.
