Hope for 100 new jobs on redeveloped mills site

The site, on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road, used to be Keighley's Universal Mills

The first phase of a £12m redevelopment of a former mill site in Keighley is nearing completion.

Keighley Towns Fund said that when the Providence Park industrial site in the town centre was completed it was hoped between 80 and 100 jobs would be created there.

The fund said it was putting £6.5m towards the cost of the 75,350 sq ft (7,000 sq m) complex on the corner of Dalton Lane and Bradford Road.

As well as industrial units of varying sizes, part of the site, which was once Universal Mills, was expected to be used by Keighley College as a manufacturing, engineering and future technologies hub.

Work began on the project in April last year and the first phase was on course for completion by next month, according to Bradford Council.

'Exciting development'

Part of the original mill building has been retained and converted into a unit suitable for a café or other retail use.

According to Keighley Towns Fund, it was hoped that when businesses moved into the units they would also take on apprentices from the nearby college as part of their workforce.

Tim Rogers, chair of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “This is another very exciting commercial development for Keighley.

"It's an incredible skills and training opportunity for the town through the creation of the hub in partnership with Keighley College," Mr Rogers said.

"We believe across the site between 80 to 100 jobs will be created, which is a real boost during the current economic climate.

"We anticipate local businesses will be keen to link up with the hub to provide apprenticeships.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for planning, regeneration and transport, said: “Demand for employment sites 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.”

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