GUESTS at this year’s Bradford Means Business Awards will be able to hear from two speakers, including the leader of Bradford Council and a digital marketing expert at LOCALiQ

Council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said they were delighted to be participating in the event again and to reaffirm a continued commitment to supporting local businesses.

She said: “The last 18 months have clearly been incredibly challenging for residents and businesses alike. The council has done everything it can to minimise the devastating impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. The authority pulled out all the stops to quickly pay out in excess of £220million in Covid-19 business grants and offered a range of additional support including advice and information through Invest In Bradford and the Bradford District Microbusiness Support programme.

“Looking forward, we will be doing everything we can to ensure the local economy recovers strongly with a raft of initiatives and major projects including the new Darley Street Market, Bradford Live, One City Park office development, the innovative City Village housing development, and a major upgrade of the city centre through our Transforming Cities programme. After all the sorrow and strain over the last 18 months the district deserves a better future and we’ve plans to deliver that at pace.”

Steve Lowe, sales director of LOCALiQ, the digital marketing arm of the Telegraph & Argus ,will welcome everyone to the Bradford Means Business Awards 2021.

He said: “Post pandemic and in the middle of our bid to be City Of Culture 2025 this night is our opportunity to celebrate business success in the district and reset the clock as we build our recovery.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors, especially Bradford District Council, we could not run the awards without your support. I hope you have a great evening and good luck to all those that are shortlisted.”

He will also detail how the audience will play a big part in picking one of the winners on the night.

There will also be opportunities for networking among guests and celebrating with the winners.

Host for the night will be journalist and writer Christa Ackroyd, the former Look North presenter.