LEADING press and commercial photographer Asadour Guzelian is about to achieve his ambition of expanding his news and features business into new areas.
With a grant from Bradford Council’s Growth Zone economic regeneration scheme he is set to open a gallery and cafe bar at his agency’s Little Germany base.
The money has enabled Guzelian Ltd to transform the empty ground floor of its Church Bank premises where the photographic agency operates on the first floor.
The move is a realisation of Asadour’s aim to branch out – the reason he transferred the business from Saltaire to Little Germany in 2008. Progress on the nearby Westfield site, along with access to Growth Zone funding provided the impetus to proceed.
Guzelian has created a new cafe bar manager role and appointed James Heselgrave to run the venue. Asadour will oversee the gallery.
Asadour Guzelian founded the agency in 1986 and is a leading supplier of news and pictures to national and regional newspapers and magazines as well as commercial photography.
He said: “We have a reputation for high quality images that have appeared in many of our national newspapers over the past 28 years. We decided we wanted to open a gallery but thought it would be much more appealing for local people if they could sit down and have something to eat and drink at the same time.
“I relocated the agency from Saltaire specifically with this in mind but we’ve had to wait to put the recession behind us and with progress on the Westfield development feel that the time is right to proceed.
“I’m sure exhibitions in the gallery and the cafe bar will appeal to those who work in Little Germany and beyond as well as visitors to the city.”
Bradford Council Leader, councillor David Green, said: “Guzelian is a long standing Bradford business and we’re pleased they are able to branch out thanks to what the City Centre Growth Zone can offer them.”
The city centre Growth Zone is part of a £35 million initiative funded by Bradford Council and the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Businesses can find out more from Bradford Council’s business investment and enterprise team on 01274 437727.
The capital grants are only available until the end of March 2015.
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