Enterprise hub rises from ashes

City Hub has been launched in the historic Little Germany area of Bradford, after the building was fully renovated as part of a project costing nearly £2m.

The grade II listed building was bought by Business Enterprise Fund around 18 months ago for an undisclosed sum. It had been out of use for 12 years and was badly damaged after a fire wrecked the interior.

City Hub, which comprises 19 offices units, includes a reception area, three meeting rooms and a roof top terrace with views of Bradford’s cityscape. The five-storey property was recently given its official sign-off by Steven Withy of The Together Group, the construction company behind the renovation work.

He said: “The creation of the City Hub is a very positive sign and represents a turning point for the district. The investment in the project is a very good reflection on Bradford and Yorkshire as a whole as new businesses will be created that will bring much needed employment to the area.”

The hub is now ready-to-go as a workplace for those in the professional, financial and business support industries.

Stephen Waud, director of Business Enterprise Fund, which is a subsidiary company of Bradford Chamber, said that there is currently one tenant on site, software specialist Opal Wave, with five companies “actively negotiating”. He added that he hopes that at least a third of the hub will be let by the end of the year.

When fully let, more than 90 jobs are expected to be created from resident businesses. Bradford Council provided £500,000 of the funding for the project, while £600,000 came from the European Regional Development Fund and the rest from Business Enterprise Fund reserves, said Mr Waud. Business Enterprise Fund, which is headquartered in Bradford but recently opened an office in Leeds, is a social enterprise which lends to businesses.

Mr Waud added: “We expect demand for the units to be high. Excellent services, clean and modern facilities, good value and easy-in, easy-out terms are vital in today’s marketplace and we are confident we can provide them all at City Hub.

“Because City Hub is within the council’s growth zone, and because of other funding that is available, tenants to City Hub may access rate relief through the council’s RGF (regional growth fund) funding and also may apply to BEF (Business Enterprise Fund) for grants to support the growth of their business.”

He added: “It’s not just the office space that is second-to-none, our in-house advisers will also be on site to ensure every tenant has the professional support they need.

“Each business has access to a business mentor whose expertise can help them overcome any obstacles they face when establishing their business.”

Jules Caton, the owner of One, a consultancy business for small and medium-sized enterprises particularly in the arts and creative sectors, is planning to move into City Hub early next 
month.

She has previously had an office in Leeds and has worked from home.

Mrs Caton, who was formerly a director and a shareholder at a Leeds-based communications and branding company Brahm, which is today known as Brass, said: “I’m a bit of a fan of Bradford. I believe that Bradford has got a bit of a future and I think it’s a good time to get in now.

“Although things have stalled... I have a sense that things are really going to take off now. To be honest, it’s a city that wants to do business. It’s a very easy, affordable place to do business, it’s very supportive, good facilities for a lot less than other places.”

She said that City Hub is “true to the heritage of the building but with modern facilities”, adding: “It’s a very good space at an affordable rate.”

Mr Withy added: “The Together Group is also based in Little Germany and I am pleased to welcome in all the tenants of City Hub as our new and prosperous neighbours.”