Two-thirds support city regeneration (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Two-thirds support city regeneration

4:22pm Thursday 15th March 2007

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Bradford residents have strongly backed the ongoing regeneration work in the city centre, a new study revealed today.

More than two thirds of the city's residents, surveyed in an Ipsos MORI poll unveiled at the world's biggest property conference in Cannes, firmly believe the regeneration plans will be delivered.

A further 58 per cent of the 500-strong sample, questioned on behalf of Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR), said they believe Bradford is turning the corner and beginning to prosper.

Maud Marshall, chief executive of BCR, said: "It's crucial we receive feedback from the people of Bradford about the ongoing regeneration work and this latest phase of research provides strong reassurances that residents feel Bradford's renaissance is progressing in the right way.

"Successful regeneration is intrinsically linked to the support of local residents and we're proud the people of Bradford have come out in numbers with a vote of confidence in the plans for the city."

A further breakdown of the research shows that awareness of the overall regeneration process has reached 93 per cent.

Meanwhile, four in ten surveyed believe confidence levels are rising and almost half are convinced some exciting opportunities are emerging for people in the city.

But the survey also shows that there is a way to go.

Only one in five residents believe the overall quality of life in Bradford is better than other cities in Yorkshire, while a similar number compare the bars, restaurants and cafes favourably.

Moreover, only one in ten people questioned said that city centre living in Bradford is superior to other cities in the region.

To accompany the residents' research, BCR also commissioned a study gathering the views of the business and investment community which shows confidence is rising fast.

A quarter of the investor community surveyed believe Bradford now offers attractive commercial investment opportunities, equating to a 30 per cent leap in optimism levels since 2005.

More than 70 per cent think the city is turning the corner and beginning to prosper and one in five of Yorkshire's businesses think Bradford's property market is prime for investment, Mrs Marshall said: "Investors' hearts and minds are not won over easily, so it's gratifying that their confidence in Bradford matches our own."

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