SUPPORT for Bradford 2025’s City of Culture bid has been given a major boost with Yorkshire-based property investors Rushbond Plc announced as a Founding Partner.

The partnership includes a real estate deal that sees the Bradford 2025 team moving into a city centre hub in a space beneath Impressions Gallery in City Park.

Mark Finch, Real Estate Director for Rushbond, said: “We are delighted to be on board at the start of this exciting journey and be one of the founding partners to sign up and support the Bradford 2025 bid for City of Culture status.

“Rushbond has a long and strong history with the city and as part of our partnership we are delighted to offer this fantastic city centre space for the Bradford 2025 team, to set up a city centre ‘HQ’ base, with a public presence onto City Park, and with the One City Park and the Bradford Live/NEC projects just on the doorstep.

“This is a prime example of how business and communities can forge alliances to promote a collective vision, working together to promote the city as a whole. We really look forward to working with the fantastic Bradford 2025 team to support them in their journey to hopefully win the coveted City of Culture title for Bradford.”

Shanaz Gulzar, Chair of Bradford 2025, said: “Having such as well-known and respected Yorkshire business such as Rushbond come on board as a Founding Partner is a great boost for the 2025 City of Culture bid. We are extremely grateful to Rushbond for their support. This partnership is a fantastic example of the way in which Bradford 2025 and partners can work together to demonstrate the strength and passion that different organisations, businesses and individuals can bring to the competition for the 2025 City of Culture designation.”

She added: “We look forward to welcoming further business partners in the near future to our roster of Partners and Bid Club members once guidelines are published by Government and as we lay claim to this title for Bradford district.”

Bradford 2025 is the city’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025. The bid will be submitted in 2021.

Awarded every four years by Government, the UK City of Culture title has had a transformational impact on previous host cities, securing millions of pounds of investment and acting as a catalyst for creative place-making and culture-led regeneration.

Bradford joins a number of cities and areas competing for the title, with Lancashire, Medway, Gloucester and Southampton also having announced their intentions to bid. The competing cities will be judged by a panel headed by Phil Redmond, TV screenwriter and producer who created Brookside, Grange Hill and Hollyoaks.

Rushbond PLC is an award-winning Leeds based property company that was founded in 1986. The company has delivered a wide range of projects and developments that include residential, retail, offices, industrial and mixed-use schemes.

* Businesses and organisations, large or small, can get involved with Bradford 2025 and help to support the bid campaign in a variety of ways, including sponsorship and partnership packages.

* To find out more email mick.chandsoor@bradford2025.co.uk; Twitter: @Bradford2025; Facebook: /bradford2025.