BRADFORD is a city full of “energy and passion” that is at a point of “renaissance and resurgence”, an event heard.

At a public get-together called Flourishing City, held at Bradford Cathedral, about 60 people were told that the city and district has a lot to give to the world.

The Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, and Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England spoke about taking the city and the district forward.

Ms England talked about the “renewed ambition and optimism of people across our district”. She also praised community groups and organisations, volunteers, churches, mosques and schools for the work they do in the community.

“It is no surprise to me that we are the most generous part of West Yorkshire,” she said. “I think we are at a point of moving forward, a point of renaissance and resurgence.

“There is more unity in this place than I have seen for some time. We have an enormous amount going for us that will take us forward.”

She added: “Youthfulness. We are the youngest city in Europe in terms of the number of people under the age of 16. These young people come from very diverse backgrounds. Many come from international families and from families with global reach.

“Eighty-six per cent of small and medium enterprises in Bradford are involved in international trade in one way or another.

“There is a huge community infrastructure, the voluntary sector is vibrant, and our generosity and neighbourliness is a huge asset that we should deploy more.”

Mr Lepine praised the “energy and passion” that Bradfordians have for their city, and added: “It is about daring to dream.”

He continued: “It is about sowing the seeds of hope and vision for Bradford’s long-term future.

“It is about promoting some Team Bradford dreaming, about what we may look like in 30, or even 50, years’ time.”

He showed pictures of cities from around the world – such as Detroit, Malaga, Bilbao and Belfast – that have regenerated after a tough period.

“None of these cities are sorted out,” he said. “They still have a lot of problems.

“However, lots of things have happened and the feel of the cities has changed.”

Mr Lepine then showed pictures of Bradford, including the empty site where the Broadway shopping centre now stands, inside the shopping centre, and City Park.

“The feel of the city has changed,” he said. “City Park changed the feel as well.

“At the heart of the regeneration of these places was the arts. In every one of those cities, the arts are really significant in any number of ways.”

Ms England added: “I think for us, at the moment, our view of a Flourishing City is a city that works for everybody, an economy that works for everybody.

“If we work with people we will realise a lot more of the energy we need to take us forward.

“It is a collective lack of confidence across the whole city. We have much to bring to the world. Be curious and inquisitive. Tell stories and tell people about the stories.”

Businessman Terry Bramall, former owner of construction company Keepmoat, told the event: “It is such an exciting statistic that you have so many young people here. Young people can change things.”