A campaign to promote Bradford’s historic Little Germany as a place to work and live has been unveiled by businessmen and a resident based in the urban village.

Law firm Schofield Sweeney, with offices in Church Bank, and design and marketing agency This is Chemistry, in Burnett Street, have joined forces with Peckover Street resident Dave West to create Little Germany Action.

They have pledged to work together to build greater awareness of the area’s attributes and co-ordinate its regeneration. Window posters promoting the urban village and the Cathedral Quarter with three key messages – “Work in Little Germany; Live in Little Germany; Love Little Germany.” – have been put up.

Property agency information is also exhibited in windows rather than using external boards, the first step in a bid to cut the numbers of agents’ boards displayed externally. A second initiative will see flower baskets displayed and a garden area in Festival Square, Peckover Street, landscaped and replanted.

Mr West, who lives in a converted brass foundry, said: “We have set up Little Germany Action to ensure that the urban village is seen in the most positive light and continues to prosper and grow. “It has huge potential but the large number of agency boards gives a negative and misleading impression. There are more vacant properties than we would like, due largely to the economic climate, but most apartments in the urban village are occupied and more than 100 businesses are trading in Little Germany.

“The area offers reasonably priced long stay and on-street parking and is a short walk from the city centre, City Park, hotels and stations.

“With more than 50 listed buildings the urban village is one of Britain’s finest examples of successful regeneration, rich in architecture and industrial heritage.”

Schofield Sweeney operations director Graham Sweeney said: “Our firm was founded in Bradford and sees the city and Little Germany as its long-term home. It’s a great place in which to do business or to live.”

Mike Cowlam, Bradford Council’s assistant director for economic development and property, said: “Little Germany is a unique part of Bradford. When you compare the area to how it appeared during the 1990s it is clear big strides have been made but there is more to be done.”

The campaign has received the support of Bradford Cathedral, Bradford Chamber of Commerce and Kala Sangam, the dance company based in Little Germany. Financial backing has been provided by Yorkshire charity The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, via Bradford-based agency UnLtd.