A NEW go-karting track has opened at the site of a historic Bradford mill, hoping to provide a fun, family environment with a few twists along the way.

Hoverkart Mania opened on 24 November, at Black Dyke Mills in Queensbury, and co-founder John Bates said it has already received "really positive reviews" from its first wave of visitors, who enjoyed go-karting, table football, pool and arcade games, as well as food and refreshments.

While go-karting tracks are perhaps thought of as dark, gloomy and noisy, John says Hoverkart Mania will provide a new experience that differs from this.

"We have a unique atmosphere. From the graffiti painted on the bright, vibrant walls to the artificial grass and picnic tables, it doesn't look like a typical go-kart track. Also, we are very green - all our karts are electric and we don't use petrol. The fact we're environmentally friendly again makes us unique.

"Our karts being electric also makes the space very quiet. Go-karting tracks can be loud, but we avoid that problem, making us ideal for families and also for children who may have an autism spectrum condition."

John says that Hoverkart Mania's facilities are also of note: "We have two karts, the Ninebot and the Segway Hoverkart. As far as I know, there is only one other go-kart track in the country that has the Hoverkart. Through the Segway app I can also control how fast the karts go on my phone, which makes it extremely safe."

John explains how Hoverkart Mania is "Aimed at children aged between 5 and 15", before saying he wants the venue to be inclusive: "We want to hold workshops and events specifically for children from low-income households and also less-abled children.

Black Dyke Mills, the historic building home to Hoverkart Mania, was first erected in 1835, by Bradford textile manufacturer John Foster, on the site of a farmstead owned by his wife's family.

The mills were described as "world-renowned" in a 1923 edition of The Wool Record and Textile World, which also claimed that at one point, it had around 1,400 workers. The John Foster & Sons Company also sponsored the Black Dyke Mills Band, one of the oldest and best-known brass bands in the world.

Today, the mills are home to Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, which hosts concerts and exhibitions. "It's a historic site and it's great that it's not derelict and is being used", John said.

On his hopes for the future, he said, "Initially, we want to have a successful first year. We want to work with community groups and create a positive place."