Creative industries backing City of Culture bid

The bid was announced in London at an event called Bradford Champions Modern British Culture, attended by more than 80 delegates from the arts, cultural, government and investment sectors.

Taking place at London’s Southbank Centre, the event looked at the 18-month progress of the Bradford Economic Strategy - launched last year with bold targets including adding £4bn to the district economy and generating 20,000 new jobs by 2030.

Those attending included members of Bradford’s City of Culture steering committee - including interim chairman Mary Dowson from Bradford Community Broadcasting, Kamran Rashid from arts hub 30 Chapel Street and Syima Aslam, director of Bradford Literature Festival - and Bradford Economic Partnership chairman David Baldwin.

Also attending was Channel 4’s head of corporate relations Sophie Jones who discussed Bradford’s diversity and young population as important factors in bringing Channel 4 to Leeds.Sir Peter Bazalgette, non-executive chairman of ITV and recent advisor to the government on ‘Creative Industries for the Industrial Strategy’, shared his support for Bradford’s bid and the district’s commitment to changing its perceptions.

He said: “Bradford, as a self-appointed ‘Bradvocate,’ I applaud your ambition and initiative. In my recent review of the creative industries for the government, 68per cent of people said they believed arts and culture help communities; cities need soul and that’s why I wish you every good fortune in your bid for the UK City of Culture 2025.”

David Baldwin said: “Last year, Bradford had more than 4,000 business registrations on Companies House - the ninth highest of any city in the UK, we also have more than 20,000 BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) women in employment which has almost doubled in under 10 years.

“We’ve seen initiatives such as Bradford Manufacturing Week help address the skills gaps and create 3,000 work experiences for students across the district, and Bradford Literature Festival continues to be a success in bringing high profile names and cultural discussions to our district, while collaborative initiatives such as Sparkling Bradford helped secure a 13per cent increase in footfall at The Broadway in comparison to national trends of a 2.3per cent fall.”

Also backing the bid is Madani Younis, from Bingley, founder of Bradford’s Freedom Studios, now creative director of the Southbank Centre. He said: “As an artist, I was able to grow at a scale I could not have afforded in London in my early 20s. The city gave me a confidence. The idea that Bradford will become City of Culture is no surprise - it’s about time.”

Bradford Council leader Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe introduced a film by Bradford film-maker Jack King highlighting the district’s cultural offering. She said: “It will be a bid for the people by the people of Bradford.”