Bradford theatre company Mind the Gap has been awarded nearly £1 million to launch a landmark arts centre at Listers Mill.

The company, which trains actors with disabilities, has announced that it is moving to purpose-built premises in the Silk Warehouse, part of the Urban Splash regeneration of the historic Manningham mill.

It moves a step closer to re-locating there thanks to funding totalling £818,943 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), secured by a partnership between Mind the Gap and Bradford Council.

Mind the Gap's ERDF bid raised £199,505 and Bradford Council's bid raised £619,438. The funding plugs a gap in capital needed by the company which received £1.25 million from Arts Council England for the project two years ago. Now that just over £2 million is in place, architectural and building work can start.

Mind the Gap's artistic director Tim Wheeler said the company aimed to develop a landmark "creation centre", working in partnership with other arts organisations. Work is due to start in May and the centre is to open in spring 2007.

He said: "We have been looking for a secure home for years, now we have the green light for capital development for purpose-built prestige premises, which is important to Mind the Gap's artistic development. As well as expanding our own facilities we'll be renting out space to other arts organisations, enabling us to promote and keep creative people and their ideas in the district.

"We have a great partnership with the Council, it shows the Council is taking cultural activity seriously.

"Urban Splash's strategy for Listers Mill is primarily residential but with an opportunity for business use, it's a great example of a mixed economy and our move to Listers Mill signals the start of a longterm relationship with a wide variety of people."

Mind the Gap started out in an attic in 1988 and is currently based at the former Queens Road police station in Manningham, but has to hire rehearsal spaces at other venues.

The new venue, with three studios, will bring all its services under one roof, including training, outreach work and rehearsal space, and expand its training facilities.

Mr Wheeler said: "Our vision is for a building offering access, in all senses, for disabled artists and bringing all elements of our work under one roof."

Bradford Council's executive member for the economy, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: "The Council is very pleased to be involved in this project with Mind the Gap who we see as an important element of Bradford's cultural industry."

Andy Carver, Executive Director for Arts Council England, Yorkshire, said, "This is a very exciting development which will really contribute to the company's artistic progress, creating an important asset of real benefit."

Mr Wheeler said that while the key funding would enable essential building works to go ahead, more work was needed. He said: "We're now looking at ways of raising the small amount of money needed for Phase Two which will involve equipping the building with computers and other administrative equipment."