Keighley and district is to benefit from more funding for economic growth thanks to Bradford Council’s successful bid for funding from the Leeds City Region Partnership Business Rates Pool.

The Keighley and Bradford Community Led Local Development programme will share £500,000 Business Rates Pool funding to improve employment opportunities in Keighley East, West and Central wards along with the Bradford areas of Great Horton, Manningham and City.

The Keighley programme will offer tailored business support with training and small grants, promotion of entrepreneurship and self-employment, employability skills training and help for people to plan career pathways.

Keighley Community Led Local Development will also run tailored business support with training, advice, mentoring and coaching sessions for local entrepreneurs.

Coun Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We’re really pleased to have secured this funding for Keighley. 

“We know Keighley has a great business community with a strong manufacturing base.  Anyone who has been to the Keighley Business Awards knows that enterprise is alive and well in Keighley.  This funding helps us build on this potential.”

David Gagen, Keighley Community Led Local Development Programme Manager, said: “Keighley CLLD is delighted with the additional funding for the area. This will make the programme much more accessible by reducing the amount of match funding required from potential applicants.”