Plastics company takes on extra staff in growth zone

Whiteghyll Plastics is based inside Bradford’s City Centre Growth Zone, which means it can receive financial support with its business rates for the next three years.

This fact has given Whiteghyll the confidence to take on six extra staff, and more are likely to be hired soon.

Founded in 1990, the company started out manufacturing pvc poster frames. Since then, it has successfully diversified in response to changing economic circumstances.

It has designed and manufactured visual displays in some of the UK’s biggest shops.

Whiteghyll has designed and patented mobile phone and iPad security systems, which allow retailers to display real hand-held electrical products instead of dummy ones.

One company – 3mobile – was so impressed it rolled out the security design across its 300 stores nationally.

Whiteghyll employs 68 people and operates around the clock.

Bradford Council leader, Coun David Green, said yesterday: “I’m delighted that we have been able to help this innovative company that is leading the way with cutting edge technology.

“I hope they go from strength to strength in our City Centre Growth Zone.”

Managing director John Owen said: “This business grant has given us a helping hand without too many ties attached.

“In obtaining this funding, Whiteghyll can provide long-term meaningful employment to deserving members of the local community.”

The £35m City Centre Growth Zone initiative has been established to support businesses based in or moving into the centre of Bradford.

It is jointly funded by Bradford Council and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund Programme.

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) is a £2.6bn fund operating across England from 2011 to 2016. It supports projects and programmes that can combine with private sector investment to create economic growth and sustainable employment.

The first three rounds allocated £2.4bn which will leverage more than £13bn of private sector investment and create or safeguard around 500,000 jobs.

Round four is open for applications and will allocate a further £350m.

The RGF is described as a flexible and competitive fund, with bidders able to submit bids either as a project or a programme. It has a minimum bid threshold of £1m.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/understanding-the-regional-growth-fund#what-is-the-regional-growth-fund.

Further information on Bradford’s City Centre Growth Zone can be obtained by contacting Bradford Council’s Business Investment and Enterprise team on 01274 437727.