The Ginger Goose update

The Ginger Goose bar and carvery, opposite Bradford's Centenary square, looks like it could be opening very soon. They are currently advertising for a Chef position, see here. The Reporter suggests anyone who thinks there a dab hand in the kitchen should apply. When up and running it is thought the bar could create up to 20 new jobs.

Last month the new owner, Martin Hubbard, who owns two other pubs in Bradford announced his new venture. The former Lord Clarke pub is undergoing a £250k refit. When open it will focus on real ale and carvery meals. Mr Hubbard has originally planned on naming The Goose as it was first and best known, however this name proved to be a registered brand. Their new website (pictured above) will be opening soon.

Bradford bids for Enterprise Zone

All the major parties in Bradford have given support behind a bid to make Bradford's city centre an Enterprise zone. A district with a designated Enterprise Zone will be able to offer companies within it business rate discounts, superfast broadband and fast-track planning.

More than 5,000 jobs could be created if the Bradford scheme is given approval by the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. It will not be plain sailing though, as there are rival bids by Leeds City Council, Wakefield Council and Selby District Council.

The Leeds City Region LEP Board, which includes Bradford Council leader Ian Greenwood, will make a decision on June 15.

"Enterprise Zones

Enterprise Zones will have potential to create new businesses and jobs with wider economic benefits. Each zone will benefit from:

* tax breaks for businesses – including a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period
* simplified planning rules
* the roll out of super-fast broadband

Areas to benefit

The focus of the first wave of enterprise zones is on cities and areas with untapped potential. The four confirmed enterprise zone sites are:

* Nottingham – the Boots campus
* Liverpool – Liverpool and Wirral Waters
* Manchester – Airport City
* London – Royal Docks

Seven local enterprise partnerships which will have an enterprise zone in their area were also named in the Budget. These partnerships are:

* Birmingham and Solihull
* Sheffield City Region
* Leeds City Region
* Western England
* the Black Country
* Tees Valley
* North Eastern"

(Information about Enterprise zones taken from the www.direct.gov.uk website)

Historian calls for regeneration plan

Historian, Nigel Grizzard, has called for action to regenerate an estimated 50 derelict mills across Bradford. Supporting a campaign to map run-down sites across the district, Nigel Grizzard, of the Our Northern Mills group, said a plan needs to be mounted to tackle the issue of neglected buildings and land.

He said: “A number of derelict sites across the city are an absolute disgrace.

“When you drive round you have to wonder what the Council has been doing all these years.

“As for mills there are a tremendous number of mills across Bradford, and there are some shining examples of regeneration, such as Salts Mill and Victoria Mills.

“But other places like Conditioning House, Midland Mills, Harris Court Mill, the Goitside area, Sunbridge Road – there are mills all over Bradford that need regeneration but you have to start it. If you don’t we’ll never get there."

Conditioning House, a derelict mill in Bradford.