COUNCIL chiefs will look to extend the help on offer to new and expanding businesses in Bradford city centre once the local authority’s current growth zone funding is used up.

A report shows that the £35 million growth-zone programme has helped 115 businesses to provide 445 jobs.

The growth zone initiative has provided businesses with rate rebates for up to three years, which are still available, along with grants towards improving premises and buying equipment, which are coming to an end.

More than 70 premises improvement or equipment grants have been agreed to a value of £5.4 million supporting 289 jobs or bringing floorspace back into use within the city centre.

The local authority will look at further targeted initiatives to benefit those city-centre areas in most need of assistance.

One of the latest beneficiaries of the growth zone scheme is Acoustic Research which is planning to turn an empty inner-city building into a design centre for professional sound equipment. Acoustic Research, will start operations this month from its new home on Duncan Street after receiving a capital grant .

Founders Ian Wilson and Doug Nissley have more than 80 years combined experience between them and hope to take on six staff.

The new Bradford base will deal with all aspects of design, prototyping and manufacture of enclosures which are boxes and waveguides which combine to focus sound. Ian and Doug have already visited the manufacturers that satisfy their stringent quality control and they intend to establish a network of distributors worldwide.

They said their designs were more compact while being louder, clearer and with a wider band width than the competition.

Bradford Council leader David Green said: “Acoustic Research considered many locations for their business in the UK but chose Bradford because we could offer them a capital grant of 50 per cent towards machinery, equipment and property improvements.

“They have worked with our investment officers and I’m delighted that thanks to the City Centre Growth Zone another business is opening its doors here.”

The company intends to establish a network of useful distributors worldwide in the future and plans to exhibit at trade shows in Frankfurt and Los Angeles.