Firms in one of the most deprived areas of Bradford are to be given a chance to expand thanks to a business grants scheme which should create more than 50 jobs.

The one-year pilot project will also supply grant cash to people with bright business ideas in the Manningham and Girlington areas of the city.

Business Link Bradford & District has won a contract from the Manningham/Girlington Single Regeneration Budget scheme to administer the grants programme which will be managed by a panel including members of the SRB board.

The panel will be awarding grants from a £180,000 pot and hopes the scheme will prove so successful the that SRB board will run it over more years.

The scheme is designed to encourage firms to bring forward investment plans which have the potential to create jobs but which might not happen until much later or not at all without intervention.

Firms in the area which employ fewer than 250 workers and are not part of a group employing the same number are expected to be eligible for a grant.

They will have to put forward a business plan saying how much match funding they can add to the grant to support their project and how many local jobs will be created as a result.

Zahoor Ahmed, programme manager for the Business Link-managed scheme, is based at Carlisle Business Centre.

He said: "We can help companies with projects to improve their property and security of their premises.

"We can consider product development and help with the costs of new industrial space - even help with setting up new businesses.

"Obviously, we expect to see an investment ons the part of the company but this scheme can give them that last little push to get the project moving," he added.

Any firm interested in applying for a grant should contact Business Link on Bradford (01274) 751385.

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