A FUNDING package designed to encourage business growth in Bradford city centre is to be extended, the council has announced.

Bradford’s Priority Streets Scheme will now expand to include a further three streets – Bank Street, Tyrrel Street, and North Parade.

The scheme was set up to help businesses prosper by offering funding for property improvements and the purchase of machinery or equipment, alongside business rates relief if jobs were created. It initially targeted Darley Street, Ivegate, Kirkgate, Rawson Square, and Rawson Place.

The council said that a “range of businesses including a live music venue” had already benefitted, but added that only six applications had been approved since the scheme began in September last year.

A spokesman did add that during that time, a further 20 rate rebate applications were approved for businesses elsewhere in the City Centre Growth Zone.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, said the programme was about “boosting small businesses and giving them the opportunity to flourish.”

He said: “Bradford’s vacancy rates are steadily improving, having gone from 22 per cent to 19.4 per cent. However, we want to expand the scheme to include Bank and Tyrrel Street so we can better connect the top and bottom of town and help spread the success around Broadway and City Park upward.

“We’re also conscious we need to ensure North Parade continues to develop and the scheme is now open to restaurant owners who open their doors during the day as well as in the evenings.

“We are delighted to be able to extend the area and hope more companies will step forward and apply in the near future.”

Ian Ward, general manager of The Broadway, said the council had been working hard to boost the middle and top of town since the centre opened last year.

He said the expansion of this scheme was a welcome addition to that work, adding : “I think the council should be applauded for that.”

Businesses interested in applying for funding should contact the Invest in Bradford team on 01274 437727.

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