BOSSES at a Bradford business centre are "ecstatic" after winning a public vote for extra funding to boost its work supporting new entrepreneurs.

Action for Business Ltd, which runs the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham, is one of eight not-for-profit organisations in the North which will receive a share of more than £1m from NatWest bank's Skills & Opportunities Fund later this month.

It was chosen from more than 1,000 applicants following a public vote to receive cash from the fund which seeks to support community and charity initiatives that help people achieve qualifications, get into work or set up their own business.

Action for Business helps budding entrepreneurs in Bradford West set up sustainable companies through the Carlisle Business Centre. The new funding of more than than £27,000 will go towards a project aimed at maximising the entrepreneurial potential of ethnic minority communities .

Zahra Niazi, Action for Business enterprise coach, said: “We are absolutely ecstatic our project has been selected amongst the 1,000 applications received by NatWest. The funding will enable to us to provide much needed business support in a largely BAME area, create future jobs and increase prosperity in Bradford West. We’re extremely excited that we can continue supporting local people and help them create successful businesses.”

Thom Kenrick, head of community programmes at NatWest, said: “We are delighted with the response to our new Skills & Opportunities Fund and pleased to support such fantastic local community organisations with much-needed funds to help their projects get off the ground or expand even further.”

Ollie Bell-Syer, NatWest community leader for the Yorkshire region, added : “Action for Business is a fantastic organisation which offers vital support to communities in Bradford. We look forward to seeing how the funding will help to give people the skills and opportunities to build better lives and stronger communities.”

Before last month's vote - in which Action for Business was one of 15 shortlisted northern organisations - chief executive Sam Keighley said the funding would be vital to

continue providing advice and support to new business start-ups in the Manningham

area.

“Manningham is one of the most enterprising areas of Bradford and we are determined to do everything we can to encourage and help people start and operate their own businesses," she said.

Carlisle Business Centre is 93 per cent occupied with 83 tenants, including private sector companies, charities and social enterprises. More than £100,000 was recently invested in high speed broadband.