Former waste space at a Bradford ‘business nursery’ has been converted into eight small affordable offices – and five have already been let to budding enterprises.

Bradford Kickstart, the Council’s enterprise support programme, has invested £176,000 in converting the basement at the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham. They provide managed space for new entrepreneurs and meet a growing demand for affordable offices. The new area was officially opened by Bradford’s Lord Mayor, Councillor John Godward.

New tenants include an innovative online travel firm, a specialist recruitment business for the health and social care sector and an IT software business.

Weekly rents at the new air-conditioned offices, which have fast broadband access, start at £55 for the smallest units.

Coun Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “Investing in these excellent new facilities is in line with our determined campaign to help new and existing businesses survive the recession and create more jobs for local people. We are now seeing more confidence among the district’s small businesses.”

Jenny Pupius, chief executive of Action for Business, Bradford, which owns the Carlisle Business Centre, said: “This investment has enabled us to turn what was formerly waste space into attractive and affordable offices for new entrepreneurs, who are probably taking the first step after working from home.

“Our primary aim is to drive the growth of small businesses in Manningham, and we are pleased to be working with the Kickstart team to provide these new facilities.

“We need more office suites to meet growing demand from new and existing businesses as we are definitely seeing a return to the entrepreneurial spirit for which Bradford was once famous.

“There is a clear determination among businesses based here to get through this recession and be in a strong position to grow as the economy improves.”

Bradford’s two Kickstart-funded GRID business centres are also based at the Carlisle Business Centre and offer office space and support services from as little as £25 a month for new businesses on a tight budget.