Springfield Mill has been bought by a charity which has unveiled ambitious plans for its development as a community business centre.

The Furniture Project, which provides people on benefits with furniture and household goods, secured grants of over £600,000 to buy the mill.

The long established charity has rented space in the mill off Oakworth Road since 2000 and its showroom and workshop are currently based on the ground floor.

Project manager Ann Sheriff, pictured, said: "We are absolutely thrilled. We are very grateful to the previous owner of the mill - Stephen John - who was so keen to sell to us that he waited for two years while we secured the funds. Without his patience and kindness we wouldn't have been able to do this for the Keighley community.

"We are looking to rent out the building to other community groups.

"The aim is to create a centre for community enterprise and employment with the focus on practical training."

A successful bid for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding of £246,000 was made and a European Regional Development Fund contribution boosted the total to £586,000.

This money will cover the cost of the mill, legal fees, internal construction - although previous owner Mr John has offered to fund any repairs as highlighted in the structural surveys at his own cost - canteen refurbishment, running costs and the salaries of a development manager and buildings warden for two and a half years.

The project also has £23,000 to put towards the refurbishment and another part time worker thanks to funding from the Bradford Environment Action Trust.

"It will probably take a couple of months to finalise the details but we aim to have all the refurbishment done in time for Christmas and The Furniture Project will be operational throughout," added Mrs Sheriff.

"The refurbishing work itself will be a real opportunity for all our volunteers to get experience on a big project, and volunteers from other agencies we hope will be sharing the building with us will help."

It is anticipated that the Healthy Living Network, Prime Recycling, Small World, The Russell Street Project and Keighley Local Enterprise Agency will rent space in the mill.

Keighley Pact assessed The Furniture Project's bid for funding and wholly supported it.

Pact co-ordinator Sarah Shaw explained: "Pact is a group of local people and organisations and some statutory agencies who appraise projects for European funding.

"This scheme was suitable for priority three of objective two funding - to engage the community with economic funding.

"We were pleased to support this excellent project and recommended them for a cocktail of funding.

"It is a boost all round for the community providing jobs, training, volunteering opportunities and encourages the environmental ethos of recycling."

An area of land at the back of the mill will be used as a community vehicle storage compound.

The attic will house 20 storage units to be used by the general public as well as voluntary organisations.

Mrs Sheriff says that The Furniture Project has really grown recently and is relishing the opportunity to expand.

The project distributes donated furniture and household items to people on benefits.

The Furniture Project show room is open from Monday to Thursday 9am to 3pm and for more information call 01535 601999.