BRADFORD city centre has been chosen for the UK’s first Green Street action research pilot helping small and independent businesses go green.

Thirty retail and hospitality businesses have been selected to take part in the pilot and the aim is to roll out further Green Street schemes across the UK.

Green Street launched its website in 2021, offering advice to retail and hospitality businesses. Its popularity quickly grew and it has provided content for the Government’s Together For Our Planet campaign. The Bradford pilot will take Green Street to the next level.

Led by Bradford retailer and businesswoman Victoria Robertshaw, with initial funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Green Street is supported by the Retail Sector Council, Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, with support from the European Regional Development Fund.

Said Victoria: “Green Street is an innovative sustainability scheme that focuses on retail and hospitality businesses. It’s all about supporting those businesses and enabling them to work together to achieve more by becoming greener. This not only helps the environment but can also positively influence shopping behaviour and impact their bottom line.

“More and more consumers want to become greener and embrace lifestyle changes, and they’re looking for businesses that will help them make the transition. Being more sustainable will help Green Street businesses cut costs, reduce waste and increase sales, as well as help the planet.”

The Green Street Bradford pioneers will undertake a free sustainability review by experts who will look to identify quick wins, cost savings and adopting other innovations for a greener business.

The Green Street team will measure progress and financial benefits and explore opportunities to build a retail community centred around agreed sustainable principles.

Bread & Roses co-operative café and co-working space and Plant One On Me, an independent plant shop and cafe, have registered to be Green Street Bradford pioneers. Ursula Sutcliffe, owner of Plant One On Me, said: “I’m excited about what I can learn and take away from being part of the project. City centres can be harsh places but they don’t have to be and something like this could make a real difference where we build a community that people want to visit and shop in. I already use recyclable bags and keep the packaging from wholesalers to reuse. My customers are very like-minded and understand why I don’t use fancy packaging. I know they will be on board with this too.”

Victoria added: “If you’re a small or independent retailer or hospitality business in Bradford city centre, we want to hear from you. It’s completely free to join the pilot and there are so many benefits, not just for retailers taking part, but their customers and ultimately the local community and supporting the Bradford Clean Growth Strategy.”

* Find out more or register to become a pioneer at greenstreet.org.uk/join-us.