Start-up business centre to expand after year of success

Grid Bradford South, based on Low Moor Business Park, is run by social housing landlord Incommunities and has become home to four more enterprises, taking its total to seven following its launch in February.

It is one of three Bradford Grid centres, funded by Bradford Council's enterprise service Kickstart and the European Regional Development Fund, around the city which offer access to expert advice and office space.

They allow small businesses at a similar stage of growth to work alongside each other and share their experiences of starting out.

Grid Bradford South's extension will be formally opened today.

Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration and economy, Councillor David Green, said: "Grid Bradford South has been a real success and acts as a terrific incubator for small businesses.

"By providing fundamentals like desks and phone lines as well support and advice, we are helping start-ups on their way to become small and medium-sized enterprises which help grow our local economy and jobs market."

The newest Grid entrepreneur is 19-year-old Kirstie Pollard from Wyke.

The teenager spotted an advert for the kitchen space acquired through the centre's expansion and now runs her catering/cake baking business, in addition to catering for clients and visitors to the centre.

Facilities available at Grid Bradford South include meeting and presentation rooms and access to office equipment.

New businesses based at the centre include a marketing and social media company, roofing firm, recruitment agency and electrician.

The enterprise coach based at the centre, Shelley Tasker, said: "We have a wide range of businesses based at the Grid and they are all very supportive of one another.

"I work closely with all of them to nurture them along.

"Starting your own business can be a daunting prospect but the Grid is designed to remove the fear and replace it with support and facilities that make the experience as straightforward as possible."