Council leaders look south in bid to bring investment north

Bradford Council and business leaders are hoping that the recently-launched City Centre Growth Zone will encourage businesses to the city.

The £35m investment aims to stimulate growth by offering incentives - such as rate rebates - for new and existing businesses.

Invitations have now gone out inviting businesses and developers to the London launch on Thursday this week.

Council leader Coun David Green will welcome guests to the launch and council chief executive Tony Reeves will outline how Bradford Council and the private sector hope to stimulate growth in the city centre.

Other speakers will be Dalton Phillips, chief executive of Bradford-based Morrrison Supermarkets and Peter Miller, chief operating officer at Westfield, the company behind the city’s proposed shopping centre.

Councillor David Green said: “This funding is going to help revive and revitalise Bradford city centre and hopefully create up to 2,800 jobs over the next three to five years.

“We want to hear from businesses in key sectors including financial, legal, leisure and retail, independent commercial operators, small scale advanced manufacturers, green technologies and creative and digital firms. Eligible businesses will receive a rate rebate to help them create new enterprises and jobs.

“By going to London we are getting our message out far and wide to people to come and invest in Bradford.”

Council chief executive Tony Reeves said: “Bradford is England’s fourth largest metropolitan district, with a youthful and fast growing population of more than half a million.

“We are a University city with a highly rated management school and an excellent skilled labour pool.

“Our £35 million growth zone, jointly funded by Bradford Council and the Government can offer business rate rebates, superfast broadband and free wi-fi, planning and skills support from the Council and the benefits of being part of Leeds City Region.”

A Bradford Council spokesman said public investment in the last two years totalled more than £30m, with £65m from the private sector.

The launch will be at Pinsent Masons in Crown Place, London.