Bradford City Centre Regeneration

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by BradfordBorn&Bred

Agreed, I doubt Nando's will bring a better class of customer into Centenery Square. Might I also add there is already a Nando's no more than 5 minutes walk away in the Leisure Exchange - at least there was the last time I looked.

Mark - although I would love to see a classy independant bar operate from one of the bannana units, I doubt they'll deem it viable in the current climate. If the Odeon scheme goes ahead and the business forest becomes reality then the addition of more grade A office space - assuming they are occupied - should raise the viability of an "up market" bar due to a slightly more affluent clientele. Don't hold your breath!!

Yes, Nando's is not going to be visited by "spenders". I was in Salts Mill today at 2pm, the restaurant was very busy, noisy, full of life. Now as much as I like Saltaire, there aint that much to do there on a rainy grey afternoon. I bet 90% of those diners were not local, but people who had made a trip specfically to enjoy the food and surroundings. If Saltaire can do it..............

Originally Posted by Suburban Knight

I suppose one of the main problems for bar operators in Bradford is that a sizeable proportion of the population doesn't drink. Whilst the Sparrow looks great (want to visit it soon) and there are some fine pubs in outlying parts of Bradford, I'd not be too certain there's enough of a market for many more nightspots in the city.

Great pubs in the suburbs yes, can't think of one decent "pub" left in the centre itself, maybe the Shoulder of Mutton? The Sparrow is very busy on Bradford City match days, packed out, I don't know what the footfall is at other times but I hope that they do well. It is a lovely bar but depressing to think that it is a novelty in Bradford but similar bars are ten a penny in Leeds.

[yorkshiredude]

Nandos? Spenders? I dunno, Premier League footballers love Nandos, they're rich. I think the best bit for Centenary Square would be getting the likes of TGI Fridays and Pizza Express in and perhaps one of the local restaurants like Akbars or Zouk.

For independent bars etc, I'd love to see Market Street accommodating some of these. The Old Bank could be brought back into use and about 75% of the shops are vacant and could be brought back into use as bars and cafés... There'd need to be some assistance / incentive for this to happen though*. I just love the idea of a lively Market Street complimenting the new retail at Westfield (when / if...) and it would be nice to have some life in the area at night that links up the Interchange and Forster Square.

City Vaults is a decent pub in the city centre, I keep meaning to go up to the New Beehive too which is supposed to be a good boozer. I think the Sparrow acts as a destination in itself and is always just nicely busy when I've been in.




*so it probably won't happen

[MarkJF]

But we don't have any PL footballers in Bradford. And when we did, they "played out" in Leeds. Nandos is better than an empty unit and it won't go bust (a big positive for Bradford) but I don't think it'll attract the people Bradford needs (IMO) in it's centre.

I forgot about the City Vaults, yes a good pub, good beer selection, good food and a decent atmosphere. That is another pub that I only know from City match days, it's very busy, I don't know how it does in "normal" hours.

[LeedsUnited]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

But we don't have any PL footballers in Bradford. And when we did, they "played out" in Leeds. Nandos is better than an empty unit and it won't go bust (a big positive for Bradford) but I don't think it'll attract the people Bradford needs (IMO) in it's centre.

I forgot about the City Vaults, yes a good pub, good beer selection, good food and a decent atmosphere. That is another pub that I only know from City match days, it's very busy, I don't know how it does in "normal" hours.

Looked to be a decent amount of punters in when ever i've been in mate.

Ginger Goose is a decent boozer, good value and very nice food.

[paulwright89]

Nandos is about £20per head inc. drinks and its popular with a lot of students. I doubt the day drinkers I was talking about would be willing to pay that. So when I said 'better class' I actually meant it, not upper class or even white collar lol.

I do agree a high class restaurant/bar is needed but as already stated that may not come until business clientele come first. The city is terrible for bars though and only seems so host run down pubs.

If I goto Leeds its usually to call lane because that offers what Bradford cant give you. A run of trendy bars with decent people inside them offering good atmosphere. Most party-goers in bradford usually go from wibsey/clayton/shipley --> Bradford at about 1 o'clock.

I also agree that market street/city park would be a good area for these types of bars once developments occur

[LeedsUnited]

Originally Posted by paulwright89

Nandos is about £20per head inc. drinks and its popular with a lot of students. I doubt the day drinkers I was talking about would be willing to pay that. So when I said 'better class' I actually meant it, not upper class or even white collar lol.

I do agree a high class restaurant/bar is needed but as already stated that may not come until business clientele come first. The city is terrible for bars though and only seems so host run down pubs.

If I goto Leeds its usually to call lane because that offers what Bradford cant give you. A run of trendy bars with decent people inside them offering good atmosphere. Most party-goers in bradford usually go from wibsey/clayton/shipley --> Bradford at about 1 o'clock.

I also agree that market street/city park would be a good area for these types of bars once developments occur

Can't say i'm a regular mate and obviously it depends on what you order but it cost me no more than a tenner

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by paulwright89

Nandos is about £20per head inc. drinks and its popular with a lot of students. I doubt the day drinkers I was talking about would be willing to pay that. So when I said 'better class' I actually meant it, not upper class or even white collar lol.

I do agree a high class restaurant/bar is needed but as already stated that may not come until business clientele come first. The city is terrible for bars though and only seems so host run down pubs.

If I goto Leeds its usually to call lane because that offers what Bradford cant give you. A run of trendy bars with decent people inside them offering good atmosphere. Most party-goers in bradford usually go from wibsey/clayton/shipley --> Bradford at about 1 o'clock.

I also agree that market street/city park would be a good area for these types of bars once developments occur

I agree with Leedunited Paul, I bet the average per head Nando spend is about £10, not £20, for that you can go and get somebody to actually cook your food.

It would be a fantastic for an independent to open in or around Centenery Sqaure but it's not going to happen, rent and start up costs will only make it viable for chains from now on because as you say the clientele are not there. They won't come before the attractions/facilities though that's for sure.

[Val Verde]

Arts organisation Fabric are to takeover the former Virgin Megastore / Zavvi unit on Tyrell Street. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...y_centre_shop/

Interesting use for what was once part of the Brown Muff / Rackhams department store provided it is of good quality. Certainly makes a change from the likes of Poundland or BetFred.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

Arts organisation Fabric are to takeover the former Virgin Megastore / Zavvi unit on Tyrell Street. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...y_centre_shop/

Interesting use for what was once part of the Brown Muff / Rackhams department store provided it is of good quality. Certainly makes a change from the likes of Poundland or BetFred.

Hmm, good and bad for me. I am pleased to see any unit brought back to life and delighted to see (hopefully) some culture in the City centre. I am not so sure that 30k of tax payers money should be used to fund an "art space" in the present economic climate. I'd feel happier if one of the two floors and half the cash was made available to other (non art) start ups, perhaps with more potential to become viable businesses.

[donnybradford]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

Hmm, good and bad for me. I am pleased to see any unit brought back to life and delighted to see (hopefully) some culture in the City centre. I am not so sure that 30k of tax payers money should be used to fund an "art space" in the present economic climate. I'd feel happier if one of the two floors and half the cash was made available to other (non art) start ups, perhaps with more potential to become viable businesses.

30k? More than that is given to people on benefits!! 30k is nothing compared to the life it will breath into an important city centre building.

[donnybradford]

Would be nice is all the empty shop units on the 'heritage streets' got filled with small independant shops. Maybe shops like Northern Drum Centre, discovery, and mannings musicals on westgate would do well to move here, espcially if they get rate relief.

[oyster]

Definitely £10 per head, not £20.

[Val Verde]

Property Consultancy GVA are to manage Arndale House on Bradford. http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/yorkshire/66026-/

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Does this building still have scaffolding over it? Still at least it means one of the few notable office buildings in Bradford has a future for now although of course many if not most of the retail units are vacant with the remaining part of Broadway it is part of slowly dying off due to the lack of any development on the Westfield shopping centre (I haven't been to Bradford for a while, is there anyone other than Greggs and Brighthouse who occupy space on the ground floor of Arndale House as I believe the likes of Bon Marche, Stead & Simpson, Half Price Jewellers and even Everything £1 have closed).

image hosted on flickr


It is however a building of quality for it's era although it had quite disgracefully replaced the Swan Arcade back in the 1960s.

image hosted on flickr

[donnybradford]

Reading a few articles in the T&A in the last few days, the councillors seem hell bent on ignoring the calls of the public and retailers and want to take away free on street parking.

Yes, Bradfords parking is cheap, and yes it needs to be better managed, but they seem to miss the point that they need to encourage people into the town centre! Charging where it is currently free will only do the opposite!

The parking charges would make sense after Bradford has improved as a retail centre and increased footfall, but now is not the time!! Its so infuriating.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by donnybradford

Reading a few articles in the T&A in the last few days, the councillors seem hell bent on ignoring the calls of the public and retailers and want to take away free on street parking.

Yes, Bradfords parking is cheap, and yes it needs to be better managed, but they seem to miss the point that they need to encourage people into the town centre! Charging where it is currently free will only do the opposite!

The parking charges would make sense after Bradford has improved as a retail centre and increased footfall, but now is not the time!! Its so infuriating.

I agree, right now it's crazy to implement any more parking charges. The centre is dying (will die IMO), I'd scrap all parking charges, all restricions and yellow lines in the centre. Somebody else made a salient point regarding cars and pedestrianised zones in Bradford, after 5 it is a dead zone, let/encourage people in, with cars if they want!

[donnybradford]

To be fair, parking is free currently after 4.30pm.

[sifront]

Just going back to the bars/restaurants debate – I genuinely feel this is potentially an area in which Bradford can better distinguish itself from Leeds .
As it stands, Leeds is (and has established itself as) a nightlife and trendy bar city. Great for their night-time economy, but really not to everyone’s taste. Recent trends have seen a rise in popularity of little indie real ale bars (like the Sparrow) thriving. Surely if we can encourage more of this in the centre (and less of the chains and rubbish ‘swanky’ bars with awful names like ‘ignite’ or ‘bliss’) then we will set ourselves apart from other cities. And with the new City Park space, we could host the best ale festival in the country!

[Sadbrad]

There's not enough business in Bradford centre for lots of 'Sparrow' type places, asian communities have routed many good pubs from local areas and the city centre won't be exempt as the population grows, now if you can persuade them to drink beer it would be another matter...There's not a chance of Bradford holding an ale festival.

[paulwright89]

Originally Posted by sifront

Just going back to the bars/restaurants debate – I genuinely feel this is potentially an area in which Bradford can better distinguish itself from Leeds .
As it stands, Leeds is (and has established itself as) a nightlife and trendy bar city. Great for their night-time economy, but really not to everyone’s taste. Recent trends have seen a rise in popularity of little indie real ale bars (like the Sparrow) thriving. Surely if we can encourage more of this in the centre (and less of the chains and rubbish ‘swanky’ bars with awful names like ‘ignite’ or ‘bliss’) then we will set ourselves apart from other cities. And with the new City Park space, we could host the best ale festival in the country!

We don't really have any swanky bars so I reckon a few would be welcome. No more chains like llyods or spoons though please!

The problem with Bradford is that theres not a run of pubs/bars anywhere. Theres the area where all the clubs are but theres not many pubs/bars for the older crowd there anywhere. The sparrows miles away, as is the corn dolly... city vaults and the shoulder of mutton are probs the two closest. Meanwhile lloyds is too big and seems to take all the custom in and around the park. Call lane in leeds has a nice little run and there similar runs in sauchiehall street (glasgow), one in liverpool, one in newcastle, manchester has the northern quater and I hear theres a good run in wakefield. If there was an epicentre for the city centres pubs then people from outside areas would no where togo instead of having to roam around town looking for the next boozer.

I have to agree though, the city park should be used for events like that. Hopefully stuff like that will draw people in from wider areas not just from the inner city estates.

[MattN]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

I agree, right now it's crazy to implement any more parking charges. The centre is dying (will die IMO), I'd scrap all parking charges, all restricions and yellow lines in the centre. Somebody else made a salient point regarding cars and pedestrianised zones in Bradford, after 5 it is a dead zone, let/encourage people in, with cars if they want!

I understand the sentiment but that would be a very bad idea. You would end up with workers parking there all day for nothing so the shoppers couldn't, and rather a lot of difficulties with junctions, passing etc. Would also be good if public transport fares could be kept sane (maybe Metro might be able to sort it with Quality Contracts one day) and not undermine the viability of it too much with traffic problems etc, because on top of its potential efficiency etc a lot of people won't be able to afford cars and you can't really go out drinking or whatever when you're driving.