BRADFORD Council has announced a food and drink festival in the heart of the city, after it revealed the Mirror Pool fountains will be switched off in preparation.

The Summer Unlocked Food & Drink Weekender will transform City Park into a pop-up festival space this week.

It will bring street-food from around the world, a Shisha bar and a mix of alcohol areas, with the event officially starting on Thursday (July 29) and continuing for four days until the end of Sunday (August 1).

The event space will surround the area's Mirror Pool, which hundreds of children have been enjoying over the past few weeks, as scorching temperatures hit Bradford.

The fountains supplying the outdoor splash zone have been switched off now though until August 10, to allow for the creation of the space, which will be known as the Summer Garden.

It will include tents and open-air seating, a bespoke bandstand and lush greenery creating a woodland themed drinking and dining experience with an authentic Bradford twist, according to organisers.

Seven food vendors have been confirmed so far, with more to be announced soon.

This includes, The Savvy Baker, a brownie business that was born in lockdown and has taken neighbouring Leeds by storm and Luigi Street Food, whose Italian treats are a staple at Ilkley Food Festival and Chow Down.

There will also be, Honest Supper Club, providing plant-based Indian street-food, and Spuds & Bros, bringing Canadian delicacy, poutine, to Bradford.

Philly Cheese Steak, Caribbean Street Food and Eat Dutch are the other three vendors providing food choices at the festival so far.

Junoon Cafe Shisha Bar, which is based off Grattan Road and claims to be Bradford's highest-rated Shisha venue, is coming to the event too.

This unique outlet will operate alongside a mix of alcohol areas.

This includes a rum shack, a gin and Pimm's station and a beer bar.

For those who prefer non-alcohol beverages, coffee will be available across the site.

The festival is part of a wider programme of events called "Summer Unlocked", being run by Bradford Council, The Leap and Bradford 2025.

The Visit Bradford website states: "Summer Unlocked is brought to you by Bradford Council, The Leap and Bradford 2025, who have come together to create a captivating programme of hyper-local, safe and playful cultural events that aim to create moments of surprise, activation, celebration and reflection."

Some of the other events include Bradford Buskival, which takes place on three different days at different locations, and bouncy castles and giant games at parks across the district.

It is being funded by money from the England European Regional Development Fund.

The Visit Bradford website adds: "Summer Unlocked is coming at a time when the district continues to expand its cultural activity, as it prepares to bid for the UK City of Culture 2025 title."