Firms across Bradford are being helped to expand thanks a £100,000 growth scheme set up by the district's Business Link.

A wide range of companies have been assisted so far using a financial package from the European Union and Business Link Bradford & District.

But Business Link business support adviser Denise Hutchinson says there is still money in the pot to help more firms.

The Targeted Action for Growth scheme has helped Laywell Beds buy new equipment to assist its expansion programme. The firm, which has moved from Dewsbury to Prospect Mill in Cordingley Street, Bradford, has created five jobs.

The firm was awarded £5,000 towards the cost of tufting and tape edge machines to help it make a wide range of beds and mattresses.

Managing director Amir Raja said: "We are hoping to expand the company even more over the next year but we could not have created the jobs so quickly if it had not been for the financial assistance we received from Business Link."

Another firm helped is Five Star Retreads, based in Havelock Street, which manufactures remould tyres. The firm was awarded £4,000 to help with the cost of tyre remoulding machinery and has created four jobs for two tyre builders, a tyre inspector and a buffer.

Rooms With A View, which manufactures and fits uPVC windows and conservatories, was set up two years ago and has recently moved to larger premises in Garnett Street, Bradford.

The company has been awarded £2,000 which has helped it buy a machine which cuts uPVC frames. The firm has added three people to its staff - a surveyor/installer, a fabricator and a trainee installer.

Denise Hutchinson said: "The Targeted Action for Growth initiative enables us to help small businesses, with less than ten employees, and are expanding. They must be creating a minimum of two additional full-time permanent jobs."

For further information contact Denise Hutchinson on (01274) 751385.

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