AN arts centre in the district is celebrating after securing a £100,000 grant as part of preparations for Bradford's year as City of Culture in 2025.

Bingley Arts Centre will receive the grant as part of a recently-announced Cultural Capital Fund being jointly administered by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Bradford Council.

Bingley Arts Centre is one of 22 cultural venues across the Bradford district to be supported in this initial round of funding.

The money will help improve disabled access to the centre's first-floor theatre by installing a new lift, alongside other improvements.

The Bradford 2025 Cultural Capital Fund was established to ensure arts and cultural venues across the Bradford district can host events, attract new audiences, and support local regeneration efforts as part of the UK City of Culture year.

Additional funding opportunities for cultural organisations in Bingley will be made available in 2024.  

David Kirk, chair of Bingley Little Theatre, said: "This substantial grant will increase the number of visitors to the arts centre.

"We have two fantastic performance spaces in the complex but have been historically limited in programming events into the smaller space (The Theatre Upstairs) as there is currently no disabled access.

"This will enable communities from Bingley, Bradford and the wider region to access a wider range of arts events".

Bingley Arts Centre’s successful bid was supported by the town’s three district councillors – Marcus Dearden, Joe Wheatley, and Susan Fricker – who have welcomed the investment.

Cllr Dearden said: “This is brilliant news for the arts centre and represents a significant investment in a much-loved community asset.

"We know from conversations with residents and businesses alike that people are keen to ensure Bingley benefits as much from the UK City of Culture designation as central Bradford, so we are very pleased that this announcement shows a commitment to the wider district.”