Bradford 2025: City of Culture plans leave residents divided

When Bradford won its bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2025, it promised a year to remember.

Preparations are well underway, but the full program has not yet been revealed.

Nine months ago, the BBC spoke to people in the city to ask them what they thought of the plans so far.

Warehouse worker Joanne Robinson knew little about Bradford 2025 plans – except for the “pain” of construction and roadworks as part of the preparations.

“It's a bit of a nightmare getting into the city,” the 54-year-old from Burley said.

Joan, who was downtown with her nine-year-old son to meet her daughter and mother, hoped the long-running disruption would be worth it in the end.

“I hope it portrays Bradford in a positive light. Sometimes its reputation is a bit negative. People think it's not a nice city to live in.”

The Bradfordian, who has lived her life, added that it would be “beautiful” to see more things happening in her city, with more people coming downtown.

Organizers promise more than 1,000 performances, exhibitions and events, “with most of them completely free to watch.”

Catherine Naylor was less optimistic about the event, admitting: “It doesn't matter to me.”

“As far as I'm concerned, Bradford is now devastated, they've destroyed a beautiful city with glass,” she said of the city's regeneration.

“Instead of putting money back into the historic buildings they acquired, they built this thing (City Park).

“What's left of the good buildings is just rotting.”

While waiting for the bus to arrive at a hospital appointment, Catherine said her 32-year-old son Frankie had been saving money to move to Spain because he no longer wanted to live in England.

“It's a dead city,” the 65-year-old said of her hometown.

“No matter what they do to it — paint it pink and green — it's no good.

“This is not what the people of Bradford want. They want Bradford back. Not this.”

Kimmy Ok moved to Bradford from London in December to look for more work opportunities.

Her first impressions of the city were good. She currently works as a carer and in a hair salon, and hopes the City of Culture Year will make life better.

“I've been seeing the posters here but I don't know much about what the activities will be,” said Kemi, who is originally from Nigeria.

Kimi added that more job opportunities would “help”, as would cheaper accommodation.

The Bradford bid team estimates that becoming a UK City of Culture could create 6,845 new jobs and opportunities across the city by 2030, the government said.

Organizers said they will announce more events in September.

Student Christian Heidkovs was celebrating his twentieth birthday.

While visiting downtown from his home in Wibsey to get his ear pierced, he agreed with others that next year could be better advertised.

“It could be getting more exposure, and I haven't heard that on the radio either,” he said.

Christian, who moved to Wipsi in Bradford from Latvia 10 years ago, hoped the increase in activity would inspire a clean-up in parts of the city centre.

“In some areas it is chaotic and sometimes dirty.”

Twins Brenda and Sue Johnston agreed.

“It's a garbage dump,” said Sue, 71.

“It just went downhill,” Brenda added.

“I would like some stores to open again, but I don't think they will.”

They were delighted to see the reopening of the former Bradford Odeon after 23 years.

“It's been a mess for donkeys of years,” Brenda said.

“Now they're doing it, we'd like to go and see it.”

Lauren Loescher and her sister-in-law Bella were in town with Bella's 2-year-old son Harry to spend the day together.

They both agreed it was a good fit.

Bella, 23, said: “Every time you hear about Zayn, it's always that he's from Bradford.”

Lauren, 22, was positive about next year.

“It's really nice, people always think Bradford isn't the best place, so I think giving it some credit is good.”

“More shops” was their response when asked what they would like to see.