KEIGHLEY firms are receiving support from a new grants scheme designed to boost growth and jobs in the town.

Cash awards of between £1,000 and £5,000 ­– and in exceptional circumstances, £7,500 – are being offered through the initiative, run by Bradford Council.

The scheme is open to new business start-ups, the self-employed and existing micro and small and medium-sized enterprises not supported by existing local programmes.

Amongst the first to benefit was Ideabean Software Technology.

The firm – which provides specialist IT support services – was awarded £4,952 towards the cost of new office equipment, allowing it to expand its operations.

Sathish Babu, director of Ideabean Software Technology, said: "We are a quickly-growing firm and needed office equipment to cater for our expanding operations.

"Ravinder Panesar, a digital enterprise advisor from Invest in Bradford, made us aware of the funding and supported us throughout the application process.

"It was a straightforward process to apply and the decision came through quickly. It is an extremely helpful initiative that hugely benefits small businesses like ours."

To be eligible, businesses must operate within the Keighley Community Led Local Development (CLLD) area, details of which can be found at keighleyclld.org.uk.

Applicants need to provide 20 per cent of total grant project costs.

The venture is part funded by Bradford Council and the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw – the council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport – says: "It’s great that Keighley small businesses are already seeing the positive impact of the funding.

"The CLLD programme joins a raft of business support services and wider economic development programmes the council runs to boost jobs and investment across the district."

For further information about the grants scheme, visit investinbradford.com or contact Jon Davis – at Participate Projects – on 07915 231300 or jon@participateprojects.org.uk.

The deadline for applications is November 13.

Meanwhile, another programme set up by the council to support small companies has been hailed as a success.

The Bradford District Micro-business Support Programme was launched in November, 2020, to help businesses adapt and survive during the pandemic.

Free one-to-one sessions were provided to 140 businesses, and 415 firms registered for workshops run by business consultant Insight With Passion.

Cllr Ross-Shaw said: "We are delighted with the success of this service, which probably saved hundreds of businesses from the worst of the economic pressures driven by the pandemic."