A PROJECT to breathe new life into a fire-ravaged Victorian shop has been given a major financial boost.

The former Natasha school uniform shop, at the heart of Bradford's Goitside Conservation Area, was badly damaged in a blaze four years ago.

An ambitious scheme to refurbish the building, and turn it into an Italian restaurant called the Bell-A-Pizza Café, has now secured a £159,000 grant  from the City Centre Growth Zone initiative towards the total £340,000 cost of the refurbishment.

The fire damage to the building in Westgate was so extensive that the structure has had to be stabilised and needs a new roof, floors, and windows as well as a complete renovation inside.

Work has now started on converting the five-storey building and it is hoped it will be finished by February next year.

About 20 construction workers are carrying out the refurbishment, while the restaurant will employ at least eight staff when it is up-and running.

Restaurateur Sid Hussain started out as a pizza chef before opening his first Bell-A-Pizza restaurant in Allerton three years ago.

He said: "I was ready to expand, and as a business owner I believe we need to invest in Bradford city centre because it is our own city.

"The Growth Zone grant is making it all possible and this funding is really changing things.

"Now work has started on Westfield as well and we have to give Bradford our support and bring people back into town.

"I’m also really pleased I can give jobs to local people."

Designer Philip Bakes said they had come up with a scheme which had a modern open-plan style but was restoring some of the building’s historic character by exposing original stone pillars and fascias and retaining some of the attractive arched windows.

In summer, folding doors will open up the 100-seat dining area on to Westgate, which he said would create a Mediterranean café culture feel.

David Robertson-Brown, of Gumption, works under contract for the local authority to provide Growth Zone business support.

He said: "This is a key site within the city centre which has been an eyesore for several years, so we're delighted that the property is being restored sensitively within the Conservation Area."

The £35 million City Centre Growth Zone scheme has been set up to support new and existing businesses, and is funded jointly by Bradford Council and the Government.

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