Work progresses on major scheme

From the archive, first published Monday 26th Mar 2007.

Work on a £2.4 million business centre in Bradford is progressing well and is a "significant step forward for the regeneration of Bradford".

That's the claim of the managing director of Robinson Architects, the company working on the Bradford Chamber Business Park.

Work began on the park last November and is due for completion in the summer.

The completed development at New Lane, Laisterdyke, will have room for a total of 26 offices, eight workshops and space for 72 cars.

Each of the workshops, which range in size up to £1,500 sq ft, will be housed in their own buildings with separate entrances.

The development will feature a central atrium which will be for communal use as an informal meeting area.

Alan Soper, managing director at Robinson Architects, said: "This project is a significant step forward for the regeneration of Bradford and is very satisfying for us as the whole group is involved.

"The optimism of our design shows how the architectural landscape of one of Yorkshire's great cities is being shaped to encourage a new and forward thinking approach to flourish."

As well as being a vital resource for start-up businesses, the park will be as environmentally friendly as possible, with measures taken to reduce heat and energy wastage.

It is being developed in conjunction with Regen 2000 and with Yorkshire Forward funding.

It is hoped the park will help breed a new generation of Bradford businesses and comes at a time when the city is trying to create as many new firms as possible.

The development follows the success of Commerce Court, which the Chamber developed on Cutler Heights Lane 11 years ago.

Commerce Court has hosted nearly 200 tenants and helped many businesses to be launched.

It was set up in 1995 by the then City Challenge Programme and received a £1.4 million grant from the Government.

It currently hosts 48 tenants employing around 160 people and has enjoyed 95 per cent occupancy throughout its life.