A NEW social space and cafe will open its doors today in Bradford’s popular ‘top of town’ area.

The cooperative of local businesses, food producers, arts groups and charities have joined forces on Bread and Roses in the former Forks Cafe on North Parade.

Inspired by activist and union leader Rose Schneiderman’s 1912 speech, the name describes how in addition to the necessities for living (bread), people also need opportunities to flourish (roses).

It’s 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.

Jack Lynch, from the Chapel Street Studio cooperative, said: “A lot of different groups were operating on their own. We all came together and decided we would be stronger than the sum of our parts and to do it in a cooperative fashion. It means that inside the building, a lot of cross pollination can happen and we can all benefit from one another through that.”

While the upper floors will be used for the co-working space and by groups including Bradford-based theatre company Common Wealth and Speaker’s Corner, the cafe on the ground floor will focus on serving up good quality coffee and dishes with locally sourced ingredients.

Cafe manager Sonia Sandhu said: “I think it’s crying out for a food offer and there are lots of local businesses around who need a nice spot for lunch.

“Because of everything else happening in the building, I think it will appeal to a wide range of people. We’re planning on doing different events on certain evenings as well, ranging from poetry to music to stand-up comedy.

“A lot of different people have shown an interest so it should appeal to a wide range of people.”

There are also plans for food pop-ups and restaurant takeovers, with aspiring businesses invited to use it to test the waters before they expand.

It’s hoped the new addition of Bread and Roses will bring more life into North Parade during the day.

Earlier this year, Bradford Council refused plans to turn the 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.

A decision is still pending on modified plans for the vacant building.

The Bread and Roses 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.