Innovative Bradford companies are ignoring the chance of picking up free cash to help launch new products.

Up to £5,000 is available to local firms with new products under a grants scheme - but according to bosses at Business Link Bradford they are having trouble giving them away.

Only 73 applications have so far been approved under the scheme run in partnership with Bradford Council's economic initiatives division.

The programme is open to companies in the objective two area of Bradford which employ less than 250 people and are designing, developing or promoting a product new to the business.

It is also available to firms making significant changes to an existing product.

Steve Szostak, chief executive of Business Link, said he was astonished by the poor take-up.

The grant - called SPINN - was easy to apply for and a decision could usually be made within a few working days.

It offered valuable help to companies as they set about the difficult business of developing new lines.

"Bradford is full of innovative firms, making new things, devising new products and developing their own innovations," he said.

"I am no great fan of the grants culture where small businesses are steered by the availability of grants rather than by their own business needs but here's a scheme which is tailor-made for the sceptics.

"It's quick, straight forward and has limited paper work and to me it is very timely as firms begin to explore new products to keep ahead of their competitors.

"It may not be money for old rope but bring us your proposals for new rope and I am sure we will be able to help."

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