11:28am Thursday 26th August 2010
By Chris Holland
A Government-funded programme to encourage new start-up firms and support established businesses has helped to create nearly 4,000 new jobs locally over the past four years.
Bradford Council’s Kickstart enterprise support programme has helped more than 1,200 small businesses to get started and provided support to 3,200 established firms looking to expand.
The programme, originally intended to be a ten-year scheme, is one of 20 Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) schemes in the UK.
In 2008 the then Labour Government increased funding for the Bradford programme, adding £16 million to the £21 million pot of money due to the success of the local scheme. That funding was intended to take Kickstart to March.
Following the General Election, the coalition Government has imposed a £1.5 million cut on Kickstart as part of its programme of austerity. The scheme’s bosses are hopeful that Kickstart can continue.
Over four years Kickstart advisers have provided help on topics such as business planning, cash flow, finding premises and bookkeeping. Professional services support has helped firms with marketing and short-term loans have been provided when banking facilities have been reduced.
Kickstart has also worked with schools, colleges and universities to foster an enterprise culture.
Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “Kickstart has played a huge role in realising our ambition of raising enterprise levels and regenerating Bradford district.
“As this report shows, the people who have been supported have grabbed the opportunity and made a valuable contribution to their communities. The scheme’s success shows just how important it is that central Govern-ment funding remains in place to ensure Kickstart benefits the district for years to come.”
Edward Stanners, chairman of the Bradford District Enterprise & Investment Partnership, said the success of Kickstart would be remembered as a turning point for Bradford.
He said: “We have always been good at bucking the trend and the latest figures suggest that we are doing it again. We are driving Bradford’s regeneration by applying the power of enterprise.”
Among those helped by Bradford Kickstart is Keighley-based web design and marketing firm Websquare. After launching in 2007, it received guidance from a Kickstart business adviser as well as funding to pay for marketing materials.
The firm opened a second office in Bradford and continues to attract new clients including building the personal website of Dragons’ Den judge James Caan.
Joint founder Adam Raja said: “As a new venture it was really helpful to know our Kickstart adviser was able to help us on just about any aspect of the business. It made life a lot simpler and we still remain in contact today.”
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