A NEW community arts hub is to open in the 'top of town' area next month, with the group behind it calling on the people of Bradford to help "bring it to life".

Common Wealth - a group which makes "site-specific theatre events" which aim to "bring people together and make change feel possible" - is set to launch 'Common Space' when lockdown restrictions are expected to ease in June.

Common Space, which is located on the corner of the Oastler Shopping Centre on John Street, at the unit formerly occupied by social enterprise Aspire-igen, will act as a "public, shared and common resource" for people and communities in Bradford, and is expected to open its doors on 21 June.

Common Wealth is asking for people to offer their ideas for events which can be held at Common Space, with "film nights, gigs, open mic nights, comedy nights, dance classes, printmaking or anything that needs a creative space" more than welcome.

The group hopes that people from across the district can help to "animate" its new unit, and has asked people to respond to an expression of interest call out, which can be found on its website -commonwealththeatre.co.uk - by Monday 24 May.

Sajidah Shabir, of Common Wealth, said that the new adventure is "so important" for Bradford, and will help exciting ideas and initiatives throughout the district "come to life".

"It’s so exciting to have a space in Bradford that is made for everyone, I really can’t wait to see the different kinds of cool events, workshops and parties that people will programme", she said.

"Spaces like this are so important, especially for a city like Bradford, as we are one of the youngest cities in the country.

"We have tons of talent and ideas in Bradford - we just need more spaces like this for them to be able to come to life.’’

Common Wealth is also calling out for artists to help contribute to a new exhibition, which is to run this summer.

The exhibition, entitled 'There is an Alternative', is to be showcased from July to August. Common Wealth is asking for artists to submit ideas for the project, which will "explore alternative ideas and ways of thinking about the present and the future".

The group is looking for artists to respond to its call out by 12 May - six artists will receive a commission for £2,000, with more details available on the Common Wealth website.

In addition to this, Common Wealth is also looking to recruit a new duty manager to help run its new building, someone who is "practical, motivated and able to think on their feet, as well as being passionate for social change", it says - more details can again be found on the group's website.