A Bradford business centre which aims to reach out to the community has celebrated its ‘coming of age’.

Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham last night held an event attended by more than 200 people to celebrate its 21st anniversary and a recent rebrand.

The centre, based in a former textile mill on Carlisle Road, is a not-for-profit social enterprise which is now home to 45 businesses, charities and community organisations .

Its premises also provide a range of meeting rooms, training and events space and more than 500 people visit the centre every week.

The celebration event was attended by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain, along with business representatives and residents and featured a range of entertainment as well as business exhibitions.

Sam Keighley, chief executive of Action for Business which runs the centre, said apart from marking CBC’s 21st birthday, the event was designed to celebrate its success and “all things Bradford”.

Carlisle Business Centre has benefited from investment to expand its operations in recent years.

In 2011 a £500,000 conference centre was opened, capable of hosting up to 200 delegates and as a space for hosting both business and social events, ranging from conferences to belly dancing.

The project included raising the roof, with the hall's suspended ceiling being removed to reveal an apex roof providing natural light. The conference space also incorporated the latest audio-visual equipment and lighting. At the same time, the centre’s cafe was completely refurbished. The project was funded by a grant and loan from Community Builders, which helps community organisations like ABL and Bradford contractors were used on the project. In 2010 eight air conditioned offices were opened in former waste space in the basement of Carlisle Business Centre. The £176,000 development was funded by Bradford Kickstart, the council’s enterprise support programme.

The centre is also the base to Kickstart enterprise coach Zahra Niazi who is on hand to help new start-up entrepreneurs and offer continuing advice. The Bradford GRID, which provides hot-desking and networking support to new businesses is also based at the Manningham centre.

Carlisle Business Centre was created by ABL after its formation by the Manningham community. The centre was developed from the then derelict Carlisle Mills and has been a focal point for community activities and new business development.

Profits are ploughed into supporting projects to improve the health, skills and social cohesion of Manningham.

Sam Keighley said: “We’re delighted to be marking our 21st anniversary. We’ve been a vital part of the local community while helping to support economic growth in the area through offering affordable space and support services to entrepreneurs.”