redefining the City centre world’s first UNESCO City of Film far left: The 2.4-ha City Park opened in March. top left: Bradford’s National Media Museum. middle left: Andrew Mason of Newmason Properties, developer of the award-winning Victoria Mills complex. bottom left: The conservation area of Little Germany.
huge demand for shopping in Bradford, which I am confident will provide existing and new retailers with a great trading opportunity. “The council will work to ensure that the shopping centre complements and works together with existing local businesses and development in the rest of the city centre.” The current phase in the city’s development is a £35 million investment to make the city centre a designated ‘growth zone’ thanks to a £17.6 million government grant through the Regional Growth Fund and matched by £17.2 million from the council. The growth zone got off the ground in November and will enable the council to offer companies business rate relief in exchange for creating jobs. The fund could lead to 2,800 new posts in retail and construction. “I believe that the council has created a landscape for sustainable growth, bringing a new confidence in Bradford – this is the single biggest change,” says Green. “Cities of the future need strong cultural offers and specialist shopping to offset national retail trends such as online shopping – and Bradford has it all,” he adds.
Marks & Spencer has signed up and rapidly expanding high street favourite Next has also pledged its commitment to Westfield Mason continues: “We have so much in the way of cultural heritage – a park close to the city and beautiful buildings – but what we are lacking is the shopping centre. Over the years there has been some leakage in terms of retailers but hopefully Westfield will bring a retail resurgence to the city. “We’re on the cusp of a major turning point with lots to look forward to,” he adds. “We are living in the best of times, to quote Dickens. Bradford is just waiting now and people are willing it to happen.” The 550,000sq ft development will enhance the retail offer in Bradford with space for 70 shops and restaurants, 1,300 car parking spaces and new public areas. Marks & Spencer has signed up and rapidly expanding high street favourite Next has also pledged its commitment to Westfield.
Department store Debenhams has gone one further and signed an agreement to extend its store to three trading levels, totalling 117,000sq ft of floorspace. This goes above and beyond the company’s original plan to operate a 100,000sq ft store over two levels. Rob Hadfield, Debenhams property director, said the move would allow the department store to create much more of a visual impact at Westfield. Naturally, the decision has been well received by the Australian group, as it helps demonstrate the strong interest retailers have in investing in Bradford – a boon for developers, planners and shoppers alike. For its own part, the council turned around the planning application in just 12 weeks to help get the development moving. Council leader David Green says: “There is
When the council first started planning what it wanted for the regeneration of Bradford, a key theme was to take the city out of the shadows and into the spotlight where it belongs. Initially, the council’s commitment to the mirror pool was dismissed as a vanity project but now seems perfectly apt. On its vast pools of water, each change in the appearance of this handsome city centre is reflected – and everyone in Bradford seems to like what’s staring back. “The council has been inspirational in its vision and intent on giving Bradford something not just for the here and now, but for future generations,” says Mason. “In the years to come, people will look back and think ‘weren’t they visionary?’ And they would be right.” ❖
winter 2012
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