A COOPERATIVE of local businesses, food producers, arts groups and charities have joined forces to help re-open a cafe in Bradford's "top of town" area.

The new social space, in the former Forks Cafe on North Parade, will include a cafe, co-working space and studios.

The cooperative group of Bradford entrepreneurs and creative freelancers will transform the building, which has been empty for over a year,into a home for co-working, a daytime and evening cafe, and a pop-up restaurant venue. The ambitious plans will also see local organisations such as Common Wealth and Speaker’s Corner, alongside art and print resources.

The project has been made possible with loan investment from Key Fund’s Northern Impact Fund, The Cooperative Loan Fund, and a grant through Bradford Council’s City Centre Growth Zone scheme.

It is hoped that the centre will become a place for people to meet, socialise and share ideas, with a variety of community focused activities and uses.

The cafe will be open on evenings and weekends, with plans for midweek food pop-ups and weekend restaurant takeovers. Aspiring food businesses will be invited to use it to test the waters before they expand.

The upper floors will be occupied by residents of a co-working space including Chapel Street Studio. Bradford based theatre company Common Wealth and Speaker’s Corner, which will host a 'Youth Cafe’ there.

The group hopes it will be open by August 1.

Forks Cafe was run by The Bridge Project, and helped people who had quit drugs and alcohol to get back into work. The cafe was a popular part of North Parade, but was forced to close its doors in March 2017 due to central government funding cuts.

It is hoped the new business will help bring more life into North Parade during the day. Earlier this month Bradford Council refused plans to turn a former cooker shop on the corner of North Parade and Rawson Square into a new bar.

Planning officers raised concerns that another bar would upset the "fine balance" of the traditional shopping street - leaving much of the street dead until the bars open in the late afternoon.

Their concerns were echoed by both the Bradford Civic Society and the Bradford Chamber of Trade, who said North Parade needed more businesses that opened through the day.

Jon Royle, Chief Executive of Bridge said: "Bridge is delighted that 14 North Parade, the former site of the much loved Forks Café, will become a new social enterprise cafe. Forks aspired to empower people to transform their lives and contribute to their community. It’s wonderful that the new occupants are a dynamic, creative, value driven organisation and we wish them well in this exciting venture."

Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society said: “I think this new venture will be a very welcome addition to North Parade and I can't wait to check it out. "I know that the top of town has become a bit of a popular destination for drinkers, but it's vital that we're encouraging as much diversity as possible to make the area vibrant and accessible for all Bradfordians, at all times of day. Having more creative space up there and a different food offering will do wonders for the street in the long term.

"The guys involved are so passionate, and full of energy and great ideas – this is exactly the sort of thing we need in Bradford."

Saliha Rubani, founding member of Speaker’s Corner said: “Speakers Corner are so excited about joining a community led project such as this. Our event Space will remain at Ivegate and we’ll use 14 North Parade as a way of working collaboratively with others. Through the Youth Cafe, our young women who lead events at Speakers Corner hope to give other young people the opportunity to plan Speakers Corner events, participate in any ongoing projects and provide an evening social space to hang out.”

Anyone interested in kitchen hire, food pop-ups, room hire or co-working is invited to open days every Wednesday throughout June and July. For more information email info@chapelstreetstudio.coop .