As one of the major partners, along with Bradford Chamber, of the Bradford Means Business Awards, Bradford Council plays a major part in helping existing businesses and encouraging new ones.

The leader of the Council, Councillor David Green, will once again give a speech at this year’s Bradford Means Business Awards, following his appearance at last year’s event, just weeks after he took the top job at City Hall.

Coun Green said: “The Bradford Means Business Awards allow the district to celebrate some of the great achievements of local businesses in delivering jobs, prosperity and growth across the district.

“During hard economic times, there are businesses in Bradford which are bucking the trend and not only surviving but growing, delivering goods and services in innovative and accessible ways to meet the needs of their customers and develop new markets at home and abroad.

“While Bradford faces serious challenges, we often forget that we are home to a great many successful business, big and small, and we need to work together to build on our successes to strengthen our economy and give our great city a great future.”

Last year, on the awards night, Coun Green said the room was full of people “committed to their businesses in Bradford”.

He said: “I want to put on record the fact that Bradford Council is committed to working with every single one of you to take forward your business and deliver for the people of Bradford and the businesses of Bradford.”

One of the major ways in which the Council helps new business in particular is through its Rising Stars programme.

Rising Stars is part of Bradford Council’s Business & Enterprise programme which supports business across the district to increase investment, support growth and develop competitiveness.

Rising Stars is provided by Bradford Chamber, Airedale Enterprise Services and ATL (Yorkshire) Ltd, working together to provide maximum support and access to resources for new and established businesses in the District. This includes helping Bradford businesses to access other national and specialist schemes.

For more information, go to www.rising-stars.biz.