The news that staff at the Remploy factory in East Bowling, which currently employs 43 people, are soon to move into refurbished premises is the latest chapter in what has turned out to be a good-news story for Bradford. Yet it could so easily have gone the other way.

It is only two years since the entire future of Remploy in the city was in serious doubt. There were plans to close the outdated publishing factory by merging it with one in Leeds, which would have meant the workers either losing their jobs or transferring to the neighbouring city.

They objected, saying that their disabilities would make it impossible for some workers to make the journey, while others protested that the extra travel would add hours to their working days. And the people of Bradford rallied behind them splendidly, raising a 5,000-signature petition which was taken to the House of Commons.

Remploy's change of heart after taking their views and the strength of feeling into account was commendable. The decision, it has turned out, not only safeguarded the jobs in Bradford but will lead to an increase in the workforce once production shifts in August to the new factory in Bowling Back Lane.

Congratulations are due to all concerned: to the workforce and their supporters for making their case so persuasively; and, of course, to the management of Remploy itself for giving the company a new, forward-thinking focus and for demonstrating its faith in Bradford as a manufacturing location.