FIVE inspiring community businesses in Bradford are now in line for a package of support including business skills training and a cash grant after making it to the finals of the M&S Community Business Challenge.

Rewards for the organisations which will all receive support include skills training and a cash grant of up to £10,000.

They will find out how successful they are in a Dragons' Den-style event at the Kala Sangam Arts Centre, in Bradford.

Bradford is the fourth city in England to host the M&S Community Business Challenge, which seeks to find inspiring businesses which are run by local people and provide clear benefits to their communities.

Sam Haigh, Bradford store manager at M&S, said: “Through this challenge we’ve discovered some very inspirational community businesses that are doing great work across Bradford. We’re excited to learn more about the shortlisted organisations during the finalist event and to see how M&S colleagues can apply their business skills to support such fantastic causes.”

The finalists are: Bread + Roses, a unique café, co-working space, rentable kitchen and event space. The business, which is used by everyone from refugee groups to local artists, is planning to develop a healthy lunchtime delivery service from the café.

Friends of Silsden Town Hall runs events at the building including sports, educational and arts activities, as well as lunch clubs and a library. The organisation aims to grow its events programme and renovate its kitchen to enable it to offer catering services.

Mary Magdalene CIC, In Manningham, offers a range of activities to people from all backgrounds and faiths from boxing and archery to keep-fit sessions. The business is hoping for a grant to go towards a new heating system so it can reach more people throughout the winter, and business skills support in marketing and revenue generation.

Queensbury Celtic Football Club provides high quality, affordable football activities for boys and girls aged four to 18. The club want to develop their new kitchen for increased daytime use and extend their daytime opening hours to reach more local community groups, as well as older and disabled people.

The Thornbury Centre is a community hub in BD3 that generates income through commercial and community room hire and tenancies. It reinvests this income in projects such as a community library and holiday hunger programmes. It is aiming to grow its outreach work so that it can develop its services for community members who receive Individual Service Funds.

The finalists have been encouraged to garner support across social media ahead of presenting their business plans to judges from M&S and charitable trust Power to Change at Kala Sangam Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 13, where the size of their grant and the nature of the business skills support will be confirmed.

Members of the public can show their support for each community business by filling in the form at http://www.communitybusinesschallenge.co.uk/bradford/