A Bradford yarn company is the latest to take advantage of Bradford Council’s Growth Zone incentives to modernise its operations and create two new jobs.

Texere Yarns, which operates from a converted chapel at the top of Church Bank, has expanded its online sales to around 75 per cent of turnover and is looking to improve order handling to speed up delivery times.

The firm, which has been trading as a yarn warehouse since the 1970s, has created a new job in its warehouse and another in the office to improve order picking and speed up delivery times form three days to a next-day service.

Texere has also leased a second 15,000 sq ft warehouse off Leeds Road and plans to reorganise its College Mill premises to provide better access for customers using its mill shop, including a coffee area. A new website is also being developed.

The latest developments have been made possible after company directors Guy Richardson and Joanne Smith, who took over from Joanne’s father Robin Smith last year, turned to Bradford Council’s Rising Stars enterprise programme.

It provided advice on restructuring, exporting into emerging markets and support with applying for the Business Growth Scheme, a £35 million initiative supported by Bradford Council and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

Eligible businesses within the city centre growth zone can apply for a business rate rebate worth up to £16,000 a year for three years for each new job created.

Mr Richardson said: “Bradford Council business adviser Satnam Khela was extremely helpful in analysing our business and putting together a plan for growth. She has helped us to see how we can make greater inroads into the lucrative international market.

“The growth zone funding has saved us around £30,000 in rates and has enabled us to take on two extra people to help improve order processing. That’s a huge help for a small business, especially in the current economic conditions.

“We’ve managed to keep trading reasonably well through the recession, though we've noticed that people are buying cheaper yarns these days.

“By serving the craft market we’re benefiting from customers looking to save money through making their own clothes and also the recent bitter winter has not done us any harm.”

In addition to hand knitters, rug makers and embroidery enthusiasts, Texere Yarns has also supplied materials for films and theatre shows, including balls of wool for a film directed by Tom Hanks, silk yarn for the film Elizabeth and costume yarn for the West End musical Mama Mia.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council leader, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve been able to help a textile company that is bucking the trend.”

Businesses wanting to apply for the Business Growth Scheme can contact Invest in Bradford on (01274) 437727.