Bradford's Business Link is investing in a former training unit to turn it into a conference centre which will help firms to grow in the district.

The former Business Training Partnership, based in Mercury House, Manchester Road, was originally set up and run by Bradford & District Training & Enterprise Council.

But now the training space has been handed over to Business Link Bradford & District.

Business Link plans to invest in new information technology equipment to improve the services the new conference centre can offer.

Last year Business Link was given full accreditation, awarded the ISO 9000 quality standard and became an Investors in People organisation.

The centre will be used for conferences, seminars, training and provide meeting rooms.

Kate Graham, who has worked for Bradford's Business Link since 1995, is now the conference centre manager.

She said today: "Since taking over the activities of the former Business Training Partnership, we have received a huge amount of inquiries and bookings from old and new customers from small and large firms locally and nationally. Investment in information technology and other improvements are planned to make sure that the service remains at the cutting edge of conference facilities available to firms."

A number of major companies have already signed up to use the centre including Bradford companies Wrapid Packaging Systems, Empire Stores and Tamworth in Staffordshire-based 3S Training.

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