ORGANISERS of Positive Bradford Day have decided to end the annual event after three years, blaming a lack of resources.

The annual event was aimed at showcasing the achievements of community groups, businesses, charities and other local organisations.

The first event was held in 2011 in City Park in a bid to challenge negative publicity about the city. The final event took place on September 28 last year.

But organisers have pulled the plug, saying they do not have the resources to continue staging the showcase, which relied heavily on the input of volunteers.

Jane Vincent, managing director of Bradford recruitment firm Candelisa People who set up the event alongside Saleem Kader, of Bombay Stores, also says there is a positive outlook for the city and their initial mission has been accomplished.

She says building work getting underway on Westfield's Broadway shopping centre this year and two bids fighting it out to redevelop the derelict former Odeon building means there are reasons to be cheerful.

Previous Positive Bradford Day events featured music, dance and a host of entertainment from city groups but organisers have not ruled out the event returning in future years.

She said: “We have achieved what we set out to do.

"Rather than do something and not do it properly, we have decided not to do it this year.

“After a long period of uncertainty, Westfield are now making good progress in building the Broadway shopping centre.

“There are high hopes that the former Odeon, which has been saved from demolition and will be revived as a performance or cultural centre.

"Also, prospects for the local economy are now looking much brighter than they were when we began our campaign to highlight positive aspects of Bradford.

“I know this decision will disappoint many people but we simply don’t have the resources needed to continue staging such a big event. It took a lot of time and resources to put it together.

"There is a lot more positivity around the city, a lot more people are saying positive things. I really think that Bradford is on the up. Things are happening. It's a different place from when we started Positive Bradford.

"By next year, somebody might be doing the job full-time. Never say never.

"Most of the detailed organisation was carried out by willing volunteers. We have all put hundreds of hours, mostly voluntarily, into organising three successful days."

The Positive Bradford Twitter address, @Positive_BD, will let people express their opinions on the city.

Meanwhile, Bradford Breakthrough will take over the training for the district’s taxi drivers to help them became ambassadors for the city.

The training, which formed part of the Positive Bradford campaign, is scheduled to start this autumn.