TRADERS have issued an urgent appeal to Bradfordians to return to Lumb Lane to help struggling businesses bounce back after the devastating mill fire.

Fifteen business owners have been working together and with Bradford Council to help Lumb Lane recover from the fire which destroyed Drummond Mill last month.

As the council promised to increase the cleaning schedule to get rid of accumulated ash and waste caused by the fire, business owners appealed for customers to come back.

Liaqat Habib, owner of the Sweet Centre cafe, said the damaged cafe had yet to reopen but food was now being served from the nearby Sweet Centre lounge.

"The lounge opened one week ago but business is not good," said Mr Habib.

"I want customers to know that we are open and trading from the Sweet Centre lounge. We are serving samosas, kebabs and morning breakfast."

Damage to the cafe was extensive - due to water, smoke and falling debris - and it could be several weeks before it reopens, he said.

"We are still going through the insurance and the quotes. It could be six weeks. It's frustrating as we have been trading 50 years and then this happens. It is difficult."

Mr Habib said all the other traders on Lumb Lane were back up and running, including two chemists, a travel agent, and a clothes shop.

And the Sweet Centre restaurant on Lumb Lane - operated by his cousin - has partially reopened, using the upstairs space, he said.

Meanwhile, Bradford Council said repairs still needed to be made to damaged pavements, street lights and the potholed road, all caused by the fire.

At a recent meeting between the Manningham Masterplan Board, local councillors, a representative of Drummond Mill and 15 business owners, partners demonstrated their good neighbourliness.

The Bradford Synagogue has offered free office space and the Sweet Centre restaurant and Carlisle Business Centre are offering two enterprise advisors to shops on Lumb Lane.

Bradford West Area Co-ordinator's Office is coordinating services from Council departments and local organisations such as Carlisle Business Centre to offer help in the short term.

The Ward Officer is also conducting an audit in the area affected with managers from Clean Teams and Highways Maintenance and a short term plan will then be implemented with enhanced resources from this week.

Ward Councillor Sameena Akhtar said: "It was a very productive meeting where the police praised the Manningham community for their patience and resilience during a very difficult time.

"All the speakers spoke of the impact the fire had on their livelihoods and how keen they were for the area to return to normality.

"Lumb Lane is now starting to get back on its feet and all the roads are now open enabling the businesses to get back to work. We want to help them as much as possible."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for education, skills and culture, said: "Obviously the loss of the mill and its heritage is felt keenly by Bradford people.

"The priority now has to be restore the lane so that businesses can get back to operating at full capacity.

"The council is keen to do everything it can to support this goal and I was really heartened to see other members of the Manningham Masterplan Board also pledging support.

"There are some great restaurants and businesses on Lumb Lane and they deserve everybody’s support to get back to normal."