The people who want to stop Covid killing Bradford's nightlife

Nightclubs and bars have been shut or operating under strict rules for more than a year, and with the impact of Covid on business and people’s changing attitudes some have already closed for good and others could be following suit.

But some owners and other groups in Bradford are sure they will bounce back but say they need the backing of the Council and the public to do so.

Last year, when lockdown was brought in due to the Covid-19 pandemic, nightclubs and bars were among the many businesses forced to close their doors to revellers.

In the 15 months that have passed, nightclubs have remained shut and the bars that have been able to open have only been able to do so under strict social distancing rules.

The number of late-night venues in the city centre still around can be written on the back of a cigarette packet, with some owners in Bradford looking on at the thriving nightlife in Leeds and feeling a deep sadness at how far Bradford has fallen.

Nigel Booth, who runs The Underground live music venue in Duke Street, is one of these owners.

Covid has seen the live music side of the Underground, which made it one of Bradford’s biggest nightspots, all but disappear, changing tact to operate as a socially distanced bar which gives people a place to go but turns no profit for the club.

The Underground's Nigel Booth

He is worried that unless emphasis is put on reviving the city’s night-scene, Covid could be the death knell.

“I was in Leeds a few weeks ago and the bars were absolutely heaving, it was so busy,” Mr Booth said, “then when I got back to Bradford it was a ghost town, it just made me feel sad.

“Bradford is dying, and the longer this goes on the worse it will get. My worry is what long-term damage is being done, that’s the big thing.

“It’s going to take a lot of coming back from this, it feels like another nail in the coffin.”

Paul Holdsworth works at Candy nightclub in Sackville Street and is better known by his drag persona Marigold Adams. He agreed there is a problem in the city.

“Bradford is limited, venues have opened before but the demand wasn’t there,” he said.

“We lack a bit, there’s North Parade with all its little bars which is great, I love going there, but there’s only three or four nightclubs in the city centre.

“Leeds has a better offering and when it’s so close by, you can’t blame them.”

Mr Booth said Bradford Council “isn’t interested in revitalising the city centre’s night-time economy”, while Mr Holdsworth said they can be a bit difficult.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw

Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, executive member for regeneration, said: “The council values our local night-time economy and we are doing everything we can to support all businesses during this incredibly challenging time.

“A vibrant night-time economy is important for the district and we have supported many bars and pubs with our City Centre Growth and Priority Streets schemes providing millions of pounds in business rate rebates and grants.

 “Since March 2019 we have paid out over £219.5 million in 43,678 grants to local businesses which included grants specifically supporting the hospitality sector.”

The Night-Time Industries Association has been pushing hard for on a national level for Government support for bars and nightclubs.

Michael Kill, the association’s chief executive, said: “I’m encouraged by the news there will be a considerable easing of restrictions from the July 19, particularly the withdrawal of social distancing which is a huge challenge for our sector.

“But for thousands of businesses, freelancers and employees this has come too late.

"We need the Government to ensure that the sector has every opportunity to rebuild, regenerate and thrive after the crisis.

“It's vitally important for this sector to survive, as it has a considerable part to play in the regeneration of high streets and town centres, attracting investment and footfall post pandemic."

Also supporting the city centre’s night-time revitalisation is the Bradford BID – Business Improvement District – which is working to attract people to the city.

Bradford BID manager Jonny Noble

Jonny Noble, BID manager, said: “It’s extremely important for the future of Bradford city centre that we build a thriving late hours offering.

“We need to have a full mix of leisure and entertainment in the city centre, from pubs to bars to craft ale houses, dessert parlours to restaurants, boutique film theatres to mass appeal cinemas, and nightclubs to niche music venues, to really make our late hours offering work for everybody.

“Bradford BID is determined to work with, and support, businesses and venues to deliver the kind of exciting and rounded experience that meets the needs of all our visitors, of all ages.

“We have just appointed our first Evening & Night-Time Economy coordinator – Elizabeth Murphy – to work in partnership with hospitality and leisure businesses as well as other stakeholders to help build a rich, vibrant and successful offer for late-hours visitors to the city centre.

“Elizabeth started work last week and she’ll be out talking to owners and managers soon to listen to what they have to say about the current situation and find out what support they need to go forward from here.”

Paul Holdsworth, better known as Marigold Adams

Mr Holdsworth, said while he feels there is a real appetite to get back out in Bradford, anti-social behaviour is holding the city centre back.

“You see the people drinking in the street, being anti-social, and there’s no police about. There’s an order banning it in the city centre but it feels like nothing is done.

“If people don’t feel safe they won’t come out, people say the centre is rough and they aren’t far wrong.

“We’ve got beautiful venues but people don’t want to come out, if they feel safe they’re more likely to do so. Like look at Leeds or Manchester, they have a big presence and are always busy.”

A dispersal order was brought in last year to give police the power to remove people from the city centre, including beggars, street drinkers and drug users.

Bradford BID is already at work to improve the feeling of safety in the city centre and is pushing to get the city Purple Flag status which signifies it as a safe place for a night out.

Mr Noble added: “The BID has already held some early meetings to discuss working together to achieve Purple Flag status, which allows members of the public to quickly identify town and city centres that offer an entertaining, diverse, safe and enjoyable night out.

“We are working on that and other initiatives with a range of partners to try to ensure that our city centre nightlife not only survives but thrives in the months and years to come.”

Despite this, there is a positive outlook for when unrestricted nights out can return, including the return of clubbing, after July 19.

Mr Holdsworth, who has “wall to wall bookings” already in place, said: “I’ve done a couple of events – socially distanced – and they were packed out, Bradford Pride took place recently and was packed.

“I feel there’s a demand, look at restaurants in the city they’re all busy so hopefully bars will be the same, I feel there’s a hunger to party.

“Some people might be feeling apprehensive, or be used to staying at home, but I’m feeling positive, I hope people will appreciate the venues and the staff when they can return.

“It feels like people are dying to go out, be around people and have a good time, I can’t wait to get back to work.”

Mr Booth added: “We’re committed to Bradford, there’s a desire for live music and we will bounce back as a venue, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Cllr Ross-Shaw said the Council also has plans in place for reopening to support local business.

He added: “Looking forward, the council and our partners are working on Summer Unlocked – a series of events designed to welcome people safely back to public spaces.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support local firms and the district’s economy so it can deliver good jobs, incomes and wellbeing for everyone.”