A Bradford business centre is hoping to attract more families after a £70,000 cash injection to rejuvenate the city centre facility. Up to 25 businesses are based at what was formerly known as the Gumption Centre in Glydegate, and 100 businesses use the virtual service, where their phones are answered by staff at the centre and their post is collected there.

Under the rebranding, the Gumption Centre will be known as Glyde House. The cash for the initiative has been ploughed in by the two directors of the centre, David Robertson-Brown and John Sims.

To launch the new name and focus on fun, they are holding a Spooktastic Disco on Saturday, November 2, 4pm-8pm, for families.

There are also plans to sponsor the Bradford Bulldogs Ice Hockey club.

From now on, cultural and social events will be held on the ground floor and the first floor will be for local businesses.

Claire Batley, the centre’s event co-ordinator, said that the change was linked to the regeneration of the Alhambra Theatre, City Park, and the National Media Museum.

“Part of it is maximising the opportunities in the area,” she said. We are appealing to the public and the business community to support us. We have got a unique location and heritage.”

The origins of Glyde House dates back to 1852 when Jonathan Glyde built the Church of the Non-Conformists as a place to worship for Methodists, Baptists and other Christian denominations.

During the day the building is home to local businesses, and in the evening the venue becomes a social centre. Mrs Batley added: “Jonathan Glyde invested a lot into the community – that is why we are turning it back into Glyde House and going back to our roots again.

“Glyde House will be family friendly and more accessible and we want to get it out there.

“On Mondays we have games nights, acoustic nights on a weekly basis, events for mums and tots and we are having refreshments for those involved in the Remembrance Service on November 10.

“We are speaking to the Lord Mayor’s office about that.

“There are so many opportunities on how to open it up to the public.

“We want to help Bradford grow and be part of the regeneration scheme which has been highly successful.

“It is about maximising the opportunities for new and existing local businesses and also family and community in the local area.”