Business Reporter Chris Holland takes a look at key events on the business scene in an eventful 2013 As 2014 dawns there are hopes that economic recovery will be sustained.

After several years of recession the signs are more hopeful that an upturn is here to stay, although no businesses will get an easy ride.

But the mood is much better – and as 2013 drew to a close there were tangible signals that things are improving.

Not least was the long-awaited announcement by Australian developer Westfield of a start date on the mothballed Broadway retail mall. Scheduled to open by Christmas 2015, the development will hopefully boost both the city’s economy and Bradford’s battered image after years of having an infamous ‘hole in the ground’ at its heart.

Bradford’s largest private sector employer, Morrisons, began 2013 by unveiling a multi-million pound sponsorship of two prime-time TV shows starring Ant and Dec as part of a campaign to highlight its in-store butchers, bakers and fishmongers which set it apart from its key rivals.

The retailer benefited from the horsemeat crisis as the company said its focus on raising and processing most of its own meat had put the chain in “a good place” during the scandal.

Morrisons ended 2013 by announcing details for the launch of its much-anticipated online grocery operation next month, which is seen as essential to help it reverse a decline in market share.

Bradford-based BCT Outdoors produced 1,000 custom-made tents for the world-famous Glastonbury music festival to replace cheap ‘throwaway’ accommodation from the Far East.

The £250,000 contract was won after BCT received a £10,000 grant from Bradford Council to buy new machinery.

Contracting, manufacturing and shopfitting company PEC secured £5 million of UK-wide contracts, winning work from leading retailers, car servicing and repair company Kwik-Fit, marketing agency Momentum, and Leeds Building Society.

Provident Financial bought land from the administrators of retailer T J Hughes, which closed the former Sunwin House department store in 2011, to create space for future expansion of its booming Vanqis Bank credit card business.

In contrast, Provident announced 340 planned job cuts in November, including nearly 80 in Bradford, through restructuring its consumer credit division.

Prime Minister David Cameron echoed the late Margaret Thatcher when defending the Government’s economic policies to local business leaders.

Speaking at machine toolmaker Cinetic Landis, at Cross Hills, Mr Cameron said “There is no alternative” and no “magic money tree” to cure the nation's ills.

Sixty new jobs were announced by e-learning company Webanywhere Ltd at its Keighley base following support from Bradford Council’s business and investment team.

Mutual cash-plan provider Sovereign Health Care celebrated its 140th anniversary and announced expansion plans.

Nine staff at the HMV music store in Bradford city centre celebrated when their jobs were saved after restructuring firm Hilco bought 141 stores, including 25 slated for closure.

Denso Marston, which makes radiators and other engine-cooling devices, invested £4 million in an extra 40,000 sq ft of production and research, product development and testing facilities at its Baildon factory.

Yorkshire Building Society said it was forced to look to Leeds to solve an accommodation squeeze.

The society retained its registered office on Rooley Lane, but many senior executives relocated to the new Broad Gate base in Leeds. YBS said it would spend £11 million upgrading its Rooley Lane building.

Leisure airline Jet2.com said it would invest £9 million converting a 50,000 sq ft former warehouse at the Euroway trading estate into a new air crew training academy employing 80 people.

Bradford Chamber of Commerce bosses announced a potential merger with its counterparts covering Leeds and York.

Shoe retailer Barratts went into administration for the third time in five years.

Former boss Michael Ziff, who twice rescued the business, and other executives were dismissed by administrators Duff & Phelps.

More than 150 jobs were saved when York-based shoe firm Pavers bought 14 shops.

Bradford-based double glazing business Safestyle UK successfully floated on the Alternative Investment Market. The offer was oversubscribed as Safestyle is expected to benefit from the improving housing market.