PEOPLE across the country are being asked to name the 'most depressing place' place in Britain.

Many towns and cities - including Bradford - are on the shortlist for the poll, which is being run by scathing town reviews site iLiveHere.co.uk.

The poll is somewhat of an annual tradition but this year the emphasis has changed from locating the 'worst place' to live in the UK to finding the most depressing.

In recent years, Bradford has dropped to 10th (2022 and 2023) in the list from the fourth-place ranking the city received in 2021.

iLiveHere says its current poll is all about "bland, boring, soul-destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void". 

But Bradford has so much to celebrate, so we thought it would only be right to give you the top reasons why it should not be on the list at all.

UK City of Culture 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Can you believe that we are only a year away from Bradford officially becoming the UK's City of Culture?

The district was awarded the honour - which is set to bring an estimated extra £700 million, create 3,000 jobs and attrac around 1.1 million visitors - in May 2022.

Organisers say they are working behind the scenes to put "all the building blocks in place" - to launch a "transformational cultural programme that will create a legacy for the district".

New city centre developments

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artist impression of what Bradford Live will look like once opened

Tying in nicely with 2025 are the two major developments that are set to be ready in time for the big year.

Bradford Live and Darley Street Market are both scheduled to open later in 2024, and we can't wait!

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:
Bradford Live recently announced some of the first acts that will take to the stage when the iconic former Odeon building reopens this autumn.

Before then, the new market will be up and running only a stone's throw away.

Darley Street Market, which is set to house around 40 businesses, is expected to open in May. 

Bradford named one of the best city break destinations in the world

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Earlier this month, The Independent penned what its team thought were the hottest destinations for the new year.

Bradford was one of the nine listed - appearing alongside the likes of Berlin, Kansas City, and Marseille.

An extract from the piece says: "I know, I know – the thought of Bradford may not immediately conjure up an image of a glamorous getaway.

"But the West Yorkshire city is gearing up for a stint as UK Capital of Culture in 2025 and, as such, is already improving its offering for visitors in 2024."

Amazing architecture

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

When it comes to stunning architecture, there are so many examples in Bradford.

Of course, the grand, Grade I-listed Wool Exchange has to be mentioned, but there are lots of others - Cartwright Hall, Bolling Hall, Lister Mills and Saltaire - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - to name just a few. 

And just a short walk from The Wool Exchange is Little Germany. Did you know it holds the distinction of having the highest concentration of listed buildings of any area in Europe?

Sporting heritage

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Based on their supporter bases alone, City and Bulls are two of the biggest sporting establishments in the region.

However, we all know sport does not work like that and both clubs currently languish in unfavourable divisions.

Nobody will ever forget what it was like in the early noughties though when each excelled in the big leagues.

Bulls became the number one rugby league team in the world, while the Bantams were beating giants like Liverpool in the Premier League.

Let's not forget some of the great sporting heroes the district has produced, including Richard Dunn, Len Shackleton, Brian Close, Doug Padgett, Jonny Bairstow, Adil Rashid, Harry Brook and many more!

Filming

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Bradford is a hotspot for filming when it comes to being used in hit TV programmes and movies.

Happy Valley, Peaky Blinders and The Crown and more were all keen to get the cameras rolling in this part of the country.

Only last year, the streets of Little Germany were transformed for the filming of Netflix drama Six Triple Eight (picturd above) with Hollywood star Kerry Washington. 

Food

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

It is a well-known fact that Bradford is renowned for its curries, with many restaurants winning national awards over the years.

Many people travel from far and wide to sample the delights of a curry in the city.

This is only set to continue as more people taste what food Bradford has to offer in City of Culture year.