Open-top bus tour launched (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Open-top bus tour launched

4:53pm Monday 6th July 2009

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Bradford city centre’s first open-top bus tours are set to start on Yorkshire Day.

Guides will deliver live commentary as the free sightseeing tours travel past landmark buildings such as City Hall, Bradford Cathedral, the Wool Exchange and the Midland Hotel.

Organisers hope that the tours will entice more people into Bradford city centre and give visitors a new perspective on the city’s heritage.

The bus tour will also travel through Little Germany to raise awareness of the area’s exceptional history.

The first tours take place at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, August 1, with further tours scheduled for Saturday, August 22.

The one-and-a-half hour tours will be run by Yarn Spinners Tours thanks to funding of about £3,000 by Bradford Council.

Bradford entrepreneur Rubina Khan, who set up Yarn Spinners Tours in 2006, said: “I came up with the idea of open-top bus tours when I first set up the business.

“I wanted to have the bus straightaway but I was advised to start with walking tours.

“We have already got about 15 guided walks and the bus tour is being done in consultation with Bradford Council’s city-centre management, who want to encourage more people into the city centre.

“It will help to get the feel-good factor back into Bradford and bring people back into the city.

“Visitors need to look up when they are in Bradford – don’t look at the shop fronts but have a look up because that’s where the history is and it reveals so much about Bradford.”

Although the tours are free, people are being encouraged to give donations to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal.

Bob Parker, Bradford Council’s city centre manager, said: “For the first time we are running free open top bus tours of the city centre on August 1 and 22.

“We have joined forces with Yarn Spinners Tours, who already run very successful guided tours around the city.

“We have combined this with a vintage bus ride, something also very popular with visitors, to create one great attraction.

“We have invested about £3,000 into this new service.”

For more information about the tours , call Yarn Spinners Tours on 07980 943391 or go to yarnspinners tours.co.uk

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