In April 2000, Bradford Council produced an ambitious vision for the future of the District over the next 20 years. Thousands of people had their say in the drawing up of 2020 Vision, as the blueprint was known. Every day this week we will be looking at key aspects of the project. Today, some of those involved in the creation of 2020 Vision look back on its aims - and how successfully they believe they have been achieved.

TWENTY years ago a group of politicians, business people and community leaders came together with one aim – to formulate an ambitious plan to make Bradford a world-class city and District.

Thousands of people were consulted; in school and youth clubs, older people, faith organisations, businesses, neighbourhoods, communities, voluntary organisations, public sector partners and trade unions in what was to be the biggest consultation process in the history of the district.

These far-reaching views became a blueprint for the future of Bradford and became known as 2020 Vision.

Tackling crime, improving educational attainment and promoting a positive image of Bradford were among the priorities.

Councillor Ian Greenwood, who passed away last year, was the Council leader – a proud born and bred Bradfordian who passionately believed in the city.

In the foreword of the document printed in April 2000 he said: “The Vision is deliberately ambitious. The scenario it paints is one of excellence not adequacy, building upon the current level of financial, human and other resources available to the District it will be achieved.”

At the time Britain was doing well. We were two years into Tony Blair’s fresh and energised New Labour government which had not been tainted by the disastrous war in Iraq and, internationally, there was a ‘Cool Britannia’ vibe. Optimism was mirrored at a local level with pockets of regeneration taking place in the city centre. Bradford City were playing in the premiership.

Despite all the positivity in the city we were still ‘looked down on’ nationally and the brunt of many a joke. Chris Tarrant, on the hugely popular Who Wants To Be a Millionaire had ruffled feathers by making a quip about buying Bradford for £1m which hadn’t gone down well.

Cllr Greenwood said at the time: “There’s a downbeat humour in Bradford that believes you should always bring people down rather than up. It’s great as humour but lousy in terms of image.”

It was against this backdrop that 2020 Vision was born.

Deliberately detailed, the document was sincere and didn’t shy away from challenges and envisaged a high-skill economy providing jobs and a high standard of living. Modern transport infrastructure would make all parts of the District easily accessible.

People would be skilled, well-educated and healthy. Differences would be respected and celebrated. The district would be a great place to live and a major destination for tourists.

Polarisation of communities would be addressed; people would be proud of where they live, work and play.

Adeeba Malik CBE, deputy chief executive of QED, a Bradford-based national charity who was also a founding member of the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, was involved in the process from the beginning.

“We were looking at what people wanted for Bradford, what kind of city did we envisage? I was involved in consultations from the beginning and took part in the launch event which was chaired by Sir Trevor McDonald.”

She remembers a particularly optimistic time both at local and national government level.

“Tony Blair was in power and there were a lot of resources being poured into different regions. It was a really upbeat time.”

Twenty years on and we are facing a very different time having endured a recession, years of austerity, and division over Brexit.

Ms Malik, who revisited the 2020 Vision document, said one thing stood out for her: “Looking at the predictions that were made back then I would say they have all been proved correct.”

The plan foretold that the population of the district would be half a million, that compared to the rest of the country the district would have more people under the age of 30 and that a greater proportion of the population would have origins in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.

She said one of the major successes of the city was the growth of cultural industries. Twenty years on we have such a thriving restaurant trade here in Bradford.

“There are so many people who come here to eat at the numerous Asian restaurants which brings in a lot of money to the local economy.

“There are also some beautiful parks and areas of natural beauty like the UNESCO world heritage site of Saltaire and I also really enjoy the world-class National Science and Media museum. We have achieved a lot in this area

of recreation.”

But Ms Malik said education and employment still needed addressing.

“In some ways a lot of the issues that we were talking about 20 years ago are still on the agenda.”

Founding partner of Bradford-based food company Seafresh/Adam’s group, Amjad Pervez, was also part of the consultation process and said the motives of the vision were laudable.

“It was a holistic approach looking at getting decent housing as well as recreational pursuits like good parks and facilities.

“This approach had never been taken before and it was welcomed by Bradfordians.”

Mr Pervez was involved in a number of meetings from the mid-1990s, a time when his own business was growing rapidly.

“We established our first cash-and-carry in 1995 and growth was extremely pleasing. It was a hugely optimistic time for us personally. I got involved in 2020 Vision because I wanted my home city of Bradford to benefit.”

He said the strength of 2020 Vision was that it sought to address the post-textile heyday of the city.

“That era was finished and the Vision was a stepping stone to look at where we needed to invest next, to see what the future held.

“I believe as we approach 2020 the city stands to gain a competitive advantage through its young demographics, its vibrant knowledge-based economy, its diverse population with its global links which can be used – post-Brexit – to creative abundance and prosperity for all Bradfordians and put our city back at the pivotal position which it richly deserves.”

Chief executive Kersten England was involved in the process 20 years ago and said: “We were on the brink of a new millennium and its intention was to galvanise everyone’s efforts to build a more prosperous future for the District.”

She said national austerity measures impacted on the ability of the Council and other public services to invest in infrastructure and services to the extent that they otherwise might have done.

“Nevertheless we made progress on most fronts, the economy has grown with businesses delivering some of the UK’s fastest jobs growth; educational outcomes have improved and our work and skills programmes have national recognition; cultural industries are flourishing and we are a destination for major sporting events; health and care partnership working is amongst the best and our voluntary and community sector is dynamic, innovative and enterprising.

“The District’s reputation as a place to live and work, do business in and visit has been greatly enhanced. That progress however, has not always gone far enough or fast enough and much more remains to be done.

“We still have a way to go and challenges to overcome, but there is no question we have turned the corner – there’s a renewed confidence that we are on the way up and a resurgent sense of civic pride rooted in our hard graft, resilience and enterprise and down to earth good humour guided by a clear, compelling vision.”

Here at the T&A we are wanting to hear your story of the last 20 years in the Bradford District. Please tell us by sending an email to 2020vision@localiq.co.uk.