AN INDEPENDENT micro-cinema could be opening in Bradford city centre.

The Working Title Cinema proposal is for a modern 40-seater picture house, screening a range of classic, modern and independent movies, contributing to the ethos of Bradford as a UNESCO city of film.

A planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council to convert the former electricity showroom building at the junction of North Parade, Manor Row, Hamm Strasse and Fountain Street.

The showroom closed in 2007 and has stood empty for a number of years, though it is currently in temporary use as firework shop.

The developers have also applied for an alcohol licence and plans include a small lobby bar and a café-style outdoor seating area for the summer.

An application has been submitted to the local authority’s Growth Zone funding, which offers financial support to business ventures.

Bradford-based businessman Roy Davison, who is leading the team behind the plans, said: “We’ve tried to come up with a scheme which we feel could provide an additional cultural offering to broaden the number and mix of people coming into Bradford and especially the Independent Quarter. If our proposal moves forward we hope that the increased footfall will help to support the other businesses in the area.

“We feel it could be an innovative way of breathing life back into another disused Victorian building which will very soon be left empty again when the temporary shop moves out.”

A planning decision is expected by the end of December.