BRADFORD city centre is blooming again – thanks to Bradford BID.

The Business Improvement District has installed 132 hanging baskets on 66 lampposts to help bring “new colour and life” to some of the area’s key streets.

The work has also involved removing old brackets and installing new ones.

The baskets will be watered weekly and will remain in place until at least mid-September, depending on the weather.

BID manager Jonny Noble said: “The baskets were installed at the weekend and the reaction has been fantastic.

“People love to see the streets brightened up in this way.

“It brings new colour and life and helps to keep Bradford feeling vibrant and friendly.”

The baskets full of mixed flowers have been installed in: North Parade, Bank Street, Kirkgate, Upper Millergate, Hustlergate, Tyrrel Street, New Market Place, Ivegate, Charles Street, Broadway (pedestrianised area) and, in Little Germany, Currer Street and Burnett Street into Vicar Lane.

“As a new BID, we were late in placing our order this year so we’re very grateful to Plantscape, who are a big nationwide supplier, including to many BIDS, for pulling out all the stops to bring a splash of colour to the city in time for the biggest part of summer and, especially, the Sparkling Bradford events and BID Food & Drink Festival,” said Mr Noble.

“In the future, we’d also love to be able to display as many plants as possible from local suppliers, so we’d be happy to hear from them next year.”

The funding for the baskets has come from the first year’s BID levy which has also seen an extensive programme of street cleaning and chewing gum removal as well as graffiti clearing.

Ian Ward, BID chair, said: “It’s important to remember these improvements have only come about because of the 630 or so businesses who voted to pay a levy on their business rates to help make the city centre a nicer place for all.

“I think they deserve huge credit for the changes their backing has achieved in just six months and I hope shoppers, workers and visitors alike will thank them by supporting all those businesses who have paid to help keep Bradford’s retail heart on an upward trajectory.”