Millions of pounds have been invested in Bradford thanks to the efforts of the regional office of the Government-backed regeneration agency English Partnerships.

Its main task is to breathe new life into the region, and it does this by investing in land and property-based projects.

The agency tries to kickstart the property market by stepping in with a package of financial or specialist advice to get projects started which bring economic benefits and change for the better.

English Partnerships has tried to achieve sustainable regeneration through a strategy with four aims:

securing an increased share of mobile investment;

promoting the creation and growth of indigenous businesses;

repairing the environment;

promoting the regeneration of our towns and cities.

In Bradford there are numerous examples of how this strategy has been transformed into practical projects.

While the city lacks a single large strategic site for forward investment, English Partnerships has addressed the need to attract and retain mobile investment in imaginative ways.

Abbey National's decision to expand its Bradford operation with a £14 million new office complex at the Interchange was in part due to English Partnerships' intervention.

The agency invested £2.5m towards the office complex to help overcome the difficulties of building on the site of the former Transport Interchange. The scheme will provide 108,000 sq ft of space and up to 450 new jobs by mid-1999.

The Aldermanbury scheme is another example of providing the right conditions to capture mobile investment. This ambitious project in the west end of the city will bring 65,000 sq ft of much needed commercial space and 140 car parking spaces to Bradford.

English Partnerships has also been active in creating better conditions for local companies. A £3 million investment in a new business park, which includes a purpose-built facility for the Waddington fat refinery, has vastly improved the quality of life in the city and safeguarded jobs.

However, it is also important the regeneration has an area-based approach.

That means taking a holistic approach and tackling regeneration issues focused on a particular priority area. A good example of this is the agency's work in Bradford's historic merchants quarter, Little Germany.

Working with Bradford Council, the agency has commissioned a master planning exercise which has suggested ways of tackling the regeneration of this important heritage site. It is not being preserved as a museum - the buildings on this 20 acre site are being brought back into profitable use so new investment can be attracted.

Already 72 Vicar Lane, a stone-built, grade II listed warehouse has been restored in partnership with Congregational & General Insurance, who have had their headquarters in Little Germany for the last ten years. English Partnerships has helped to ensure they will stay in the city.

The agency has also invested in other schemes on Well Street, Burnett Street and Currer Street, giving these buildings a new lease of life.

English Partnerships has done much to assist community schemes throughout the city, investing £900,000 on 11 schemes since it was established.

Paul Barber, English Partnerships' regional director, said: "All of these projects deliver economic as well as social benefits, ensuring better access to community facilities such as childcare and training. From day one we have been committed to improving the economic fortunes of Bradford.

"As part of the new Regional Development Agency, English Partnerships plans to build on these foundations as it helps to bring about more economic regeneration and development in the future."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.