WEST Yorkshire's new Mayor visited the new City park headquarters of Bradford's City of Culture bid yesterday.

The team behind the bid is now based in the former Forsters Bistro restaurant, and the event saw representatives from creative groups and other organisations come together to meet Tracy Brabin at the hub.

If the bid is successful, the Bradford District would be named City of Culture for 2025.

Mrs Brabin, who was voted as the first Mayor of West Yorkshire last month, told them: "I have been in the job for 23 days, and it has been the best job I have ever done in my life."

The former actress said culture was a vital part of recovering from the Covid pandemic, adding: "We need to attract people here to bring money to the region. A great cultural offer will bring business to our community.

"I come from the creative industries, so I can understand how culture can change people's lives."

She said Bradford was the "Engine room for everything I want to achieve as mayor."

T&A is Bradford 2025 City of Culture bid partner

She also revealed that she would set up a Town of Culture contest for the region, similar to the City of Culture bid, but focusing on smaller towns and villages that would be unlikely to compete for the National City of Culture title.

When asked what she was doing to make culture and the arts more inclusive, she said: "Inclusivity, diversity and equality are at the heart of everything I want to achieve.

"I have seen very talented people overlooked because of the racism of some structures."

She said she would appoint an inclusivity champion to work with her.

Mrs Brabin told the group that there needed to be more focus on arts and culture in schools.

She said "Drama teacher numbers are plummeting. Music teacher numbers are plummeting. It is not enough for schools to offer six ukulele lessons."

Asked whether she would push for better walking and cycling routes in the region, she said: "We need to get to zero carbon, but we can only do that if more people cycle and more people walk.

"As someone who uses the bus to get to work I know our bus network is broken."