THE Telegraph & Argus has joined forces with the Bradford 2025 bid team to bring the UK City of Culture title home.

The T&A has given the bid a major boost by becoming an official media partner with the 2025 team. Winning the bid would see the whole district benefit from millions of pounds of investment, resulting in a significant long-term social and economic impact on businesses as well as communities and individuals.

Bradford 2025 Chair Shanaz Gulzar said: “We are delighted that the T&A has agreed to become one of Bradford 2025’s official founding partners and will be working closely with the team as we prepare to bring the City of Culture title back to Bradford.

“The T&A’s support is crucial in reaching the many communities and Bradfordians based locally as well as around the world, helping us to create what we hope is a successful bid. The timing couldn’t be better for more people and businesses to follow the T&A’s example and get involved.”

Bradford 2025 Bid Director Richard Shaw added: “The T&A has been incredibly supportive from day one of the city’s bid and it was a natural fit for us to become official partners. The T&A has an incredible reach across the district through a combination of its print and social media channels so we know we have the very strongest media partnership that will help to keep the people of Bradford district fully up to speed on what we are doing and how they can get involved over the coming months.”

Nigel Burton, editor of the T&A, said: “Winning the City of Culture bid would give the whole district a huge shot in the arm so soon after the pandemic. It will be an wonderful showcase for our city and the T&A is honoured to be playing its part.”

Steve Lowe, Sales Director at the Telegraph & Argus, said “It is extremely important that we give the bid all the support we can offer in making this successful. Bringing the City of Culture title to Bradford in 2025 would provide a real boost to the district, the economy and help showcase some of the great, sometimes hidden gems Bradford has to offer. The T&A is proud to be a founding partner and we look forward to both working with all the other partners as we shape the bid submission and winning the bid to bring real benefits to the district.”

Bradford 2025 recently announced Yorkshire-based property investors Rushbond Plc as a Founding Partner.

Bradford’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025 will be submitted later this year. Awarded by the Government, the title has had a transformational impact on previous host cities, including Hull, securing millions of pounds of investment and acting as a catalyst for creative place-making and culture-led regeneration. Bradford is competing with several other cities and areas for the title, including Lancashire, Medway, Gloucester and Southampton.

Last week saw the launch of a 10-year cultural strategy for the district, which gets underway with a summer of events re-introducing arts and culture after over a year of lockdown restrictions. The strategy will be part of the push for Bradford’s 2025 bid.

* Businesses and organisations 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; visit bradford2025.co.uk; Twitter: @Bradford2025; Facebook: /bradford2025.