HIGH profile Bradford businesswoman Jane Vincent is determined to start again after closing her city centre recruitment agency due to cashflow problems.

Candelisa People, on North Parade, ceased trading on December 23 and administrators were called in. The process is continuing and a creditors' meeting is scheduled for January 22.

Mrs Vincent said just before Christmas she discovered she would be unable to meet her VAT bill at the end of January.

Candelisa People, which used an external accounts and payroll company, also had insufficient funds to pay around 80 temporary workers it had placed who were due to receive their wages on Christmas Eve.

Mrs Vincent approached another local recruitment agency and handed over the temporary recruitment side of Candelisa People, so people were paid.

She said: "I can't go into details for legal reasons but was devastated to find that, due to cashflow problems, the business was short of funds to cover temporary wages and VAT. I immediately took steps to hand over the temporary recruitment operation to another agency which took it on and ensured people were paid.

"We closed our doors and ceased trading just before Christmas. It is the worst time I have ever experienced in my business career."

Mrs Vincent started Candelisa People during the recession in 2009, after running Horizon Recruitment for more than 11 years.

In 2012 she expanded into Ilkley, creating jobs for two unemployed graduates, when Candelisa People had a turnover of around £2.5 million.

At the time of its closure Candelisa People had six permanent staff, four of whom have found other jobs.

In 2015 the award-winning company featured in the Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall documentary series, The Job Centre. Mrs Vincent spoke about that experience and her "rollercoaster" business life at the Bradford Business Conference in November.

She said she planned to relaunch her business career in a small way, along with long-time colleague Rachel Deeks, running a recruitment agency for permanent staff from home.

"I am a single mother and need to work. I have been left with nothing and will have to start from scratch. Hopefully, using using contacts and our combined experience, Rachel and I will be able to create another small business," she said.

"It will take some time to take stock and get over what has happened to Candelisa People, but I am determined to bounce back."

Mrs Vincent was also co-founder and organiser of the Positive Bradford campaign which held three annual events to highlight the achievements of local community groups, businesses, charities and other organisations.