Bradford is UK City of Culture 2025
Bradford is having a great year as the prestigious UK City of Culture 2025; the district is proudly taking centre stage nationally and globally.
This landmark year has brought with it a boost in tourism and investment, as Bradford’s rich cultural heritage, creative industries and diverse communities are showcased. An estimated 1.1 million people have already experienced Bradford 2025 projects, and that’s before the peak summer season begins.
Culture has always played a significant role in the history of Bradford.
It is the birthplace of David Hockney, J B Priestley and the Brontë sisters. Its attractions, from the Brontë Parsonage Museum to the National Science and Media Museum – newly opened after a recent £6 million renovation – and many more besides, are well-renowned.
This transformative year is a springboard to driving Bradford’s economic growth, creating better-connected and creative communities.
The investment in a new platform at Bradford Forster Square station means there are now seven direct trains a day to London, and the Brit School for performing arts and technology has decided to make Bradford its northern location for its planned expansion.
With a multimillion-pound regeneration pipeline of transformational projects in leisure, housing and transport, and a young dynamic, entrepreneurial population, Bradford is transforming at pace as a place of opportunity, growth and innovation.
The city centre has undergone a radical £45 million change, reducing through-traffic and creating more green space, including Norfolk Gardens. Alongside modern, new office space at One City Park, the centre has been opened up as a prime location for continued investment.
With the stunning refurbishment of the Bradford Live entertainment venue, and the recent launch of the new Darley Street Market, there is unprecedented change at every turn.
These pivotal schemes have paved the way for the ambitious ‘City Village’ development, where up to 1,000 new homes will be built in the centre, alongside new green spaces.
There is ongoing work to deliver a new ‘through’ rail station. An investment total of £4.5 billion will be needed to secure both a mass transit tram system and the new rail station. The area around the new station – known as the Southern Gateway – has been earmarked as one of the biggest regeneration sites in the UK, and would effectively double the size of the city centre.
This is an exciting time for Bradford. Its location in the heart of the North of England means that its successful regeneration economically benefits the whole of the region.
Sustained investment through the mayoral West Yorkshire Combined Authority and positive working relationships with government mean that Bradford has the best opportunity it has had in decades of creating a better future for all.
Adding value in times of change
Cllr Hinchcliffe will be one of the speakers at the LGA’s annual culture, tourism and sport (CTS) conference in Bradford from 10-11 September.
Taking place during a period of extraordinary change and challenge, the conference is a chance to get together in person, examine the opportunities for the future in the context of devolution and local government reorganisation, hear some best-practice examples, and ask questions of sector leaders and funders.
See Bradford for yourself and learn how the council has maximised its cultural and heritage assets to drive the local economy and its own renaissance, through a series of exciting study tours.
Other speakers include: Darren Henley CBE, Chief Executive of Arts Council England; Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer of the National Lottery Heritage Fund; and Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford City of Culture.
See LGA website to find out more and book your place.