Building work to complete the first phase of work at Providence Park industrial site in Keighley town centre is on course for imminent completion, and the historic site has as much special significance to the developers working on it as it does to the town.
The £12million redevelopment of the former Universal Mills site, on the corner of Dalton Lane Bradford Road, began in April 2023 and has received £6.5million funding through the Government’s Keighley Towns Fund.
It has been owned by Keighley developer Peter Rock for more than 50 years, and was formerly the base of his business Modern Equipment & Foundry Engineering Ltd. The new site will stay true to those engineering roots because part of it will be used by Keighley College as a new Manufacturing, Engineering and Future Technologies Hub.
The hub will be used to provide students with academic and practical experience, and achieve T-level qualifications. Providence Park will also be home to five buildings which will house up to 23 industrial units – the smallest of which is 150 square metres with the largest at 828 square metres. Part of the original mill building has also been retained and sympathetically converted to a unit suitable for a café or other retail use, under scheme architect Bridget Hansford (Peter’s daughter).
Peter, now aged 96, still visits the 7,000sq m site most days to monitor progress, and the development is nearing completion. The extensive work has involved the demolition of previous buildings and structures; full site remediation; installation of surface water management system; and the construction of units to let.
Peter’s grandson Tom Rock, who has led the redevelopment with Peter’s son Bernard and other grandson Andy, explained: “The site required significant remediation works before any re-development in part due to old cellars underground, from the terraced housing that was on the site prior to my grandfather’s period of ownership. The cost of these initial works was always a significant barrier to re-development, which the Keighley Towns Fund grant funding helped us to address.
“Interestingly ‘Providence Place’ was one of the former residential streets located there, which led to the name of the site. The history of the site is fascinating, part of it was previously under the Prince Smith Estate, which was a prominent part of the Keighley economy. It warranted a royal visit by King George & Queen Mary in 1918 and it’s gratifying to know that this development will once again see the site becoming a hub of business and employment in the town.
“We are grateful to the team at Bradford Council for their ongoing support and see this development as a real success of the Keighley Towns Fund. The specific challenges of the site, coupled with the economic realities of development in towns such as Keighley would have meant that a regeneration of this scale was not viable without the town fund’s support, and as multi-generational, proud Keighlians we are delighted to deliver the project, a development which will deliver long term economic benefit to the town.”
Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Planning, Regeneration and Transport Alex Ross-Shaw said: “Demand for employment and high-quality commercial sites such as this is huge across Keighley and the whole of the Aire Valley, so this development is much needed and welcomed.
“The properties have full solar panel coverage and air source heat pumps which will provide sustainable heat and hot water across the site.
“There is some work still to complete such as some internal works to each unit, fencing and gates, final surfacing of parking areas and the installation of EV charging points, but it is on course to finish as scheduled.”
Once the initial phase is finished in October this year, the college unit is due to be completed by early 2025.
The Keighley Tows Fund is also continuing to support business in the town and surrounding areas through itsCapital Assistance to Business Growth programme. Funding from this programme can be used to invest in machinery and equipment or property to upgrade existing facilities or bring disused buildings back into use.
The money has so far been spent on a wide range of projects by businesses across the district such as expanding and modernising business premises, as well as replacing older equipment with more efficient, up-to-date systems.
Keighley-based health supplement supplier Bio-Nature Ltd has used its £25,145.20 grant to expand production. The business, which employs 30 people, packs and distributes natural health supplements and body care products for manufacturers and distributors within the UK, also shipping on behalf of clients to export markets.
They put the grant towards buying equipment to set up a second packing line at their base on Admiral Way, due to increased demand from current customers and interest from other potential markets.
Financial Controller Chris Procter said: “This welcome capital investment will increase production capacity and efficiencies within the business. We’ll be able to increase our range of processes which will bring new opportunities as we are able to develop new markets. This growth means we anticipate we’ll be able to create four new jobs.
“The process of applying for the grant was smooth, and we were well-supported. It has part-funded what is an exciting new chapter for us, and we are looking forward to continued success.”
Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said: “The Council’s Economic Development Service can provide advice and guidance on applying for one of these grants. It’s fantastic to hear of the funding being put to such good use here, creating more job opportunities in Keighley, and we wish Bio-Nature all the best for their expansion.”
Shipley Towns Fund also supports businesses through its own Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme and interested businesses will be supported in the same way. So far the Keighley Towns Fund has awarded £1,096,815.33 in grant funding, and £663,534.17 has been awarded by the Shipley Towns Fund with the expectation of creating 105.5 and 75.7 jobs respectively.
A new Business Information Officer has also been recently appointed at Shipley Library’s Enterprise Hub to support local businesses. The enterprise hub was officially opened in November last year, in former exhibition space at the library, using an £80,000 grant from the Shipley Towns Fund.
The new facility offers resources and advice to local businesses and start-ups, as well as being used for events, meetings and co-working. It is also part of the Leeds City Region’s Business and IP Centre’s local offering, which provides free advice to businesses based in West Yorkshire.
Muhammad Umair is now in post as the Business Information Officer, based at the hub. Umair explained: “Shipley has a really interesting and diverse business community and the hub is such an incredible space – our business start-up sessions have been proving very popular and it’s great to welcome so many people to co-work together and create networking opportunities.
“I am committed to providing comprehensive support to businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to established companies and entrepreneurs. Our services are designed to assist businesses at every stage of their journey, from the initial setup to essential aspects like book-keeping, social media marketing, tax returns and advice on finances – including potential funding streams. We offer the guidance and resources necessary to ensure these businesses are fully prepared to succeed.’’
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, explained: “The Enterprise Hub is an excellent resource for the local business community, particularly those starting-up or with newly-established businesses. The space is fully equipped for co-working, as well as having access to specialist business databases.”
Adam Clerkin, Chair of Shipley Towns Fund, added: “The towns fund is delighted to be funding the post of Business Information Officer and to welcome Umair to the role. We know he will be able to offer excellent advice and guidance to our business community, as well as training existing staff.
“Shipley has a thriving business community and we’re keen to support it. We invite everyone to come down and see what the resource has to offer and how the hub can support the success of all local businesses.”
The Towns Fund Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme Funding is available up to March 2026. For an Expression of Interest form or for further information and eligibility criteria, visit:https://www.investinbradford.com/business-support/keighley-and-shipley-towns-fund/ or email info@investinbradford.com
