Bradford City Centre Regeneration

[Bradfordian]

Any pics? It's a shame they don't have head office in city centre :-(

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by lazygamer

There's no betting shops that I know of in Spain. Not legal ones anyway. The Spanish Government almost relaxed the laws but backed down from pressure from the lotteries.

See many newsagents with their hundreds of scratchcards? There's tons of Casinos and Bingo halls in Spain too.

I noticed the bingo halls, it seemed to be a very good social activity, middle aged and well dressed people seemed to be the main users. "Once" seemed to be the most popular lottery, good, it's run by the association for the blind and employs 1000's of people.

[donnybradford]

Apart from an advert on a local radio station (either pulse of capital) I've not heard much from the Council regarding the use of this £34m Regional Growth Fund.

I hope its not going to be wasted because the council are no good at publicity. If there is anything the council should spend money on consultants for, it should be PR!

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by donnybradford

Apart from an advert on a local radio station (either pulse of capital) I've not heard much from the Council regarding the use of this £34m Regional Growth Fund.

I hope its not going to be wasted because the council are no good at publicity. If there is anything the council should spend money on consultants for, it should be PR!

Can't a small % of it be used to buy Valley Parade. Something sensible like buying a facility that regularly draws in customers and will provide (long term) a profit? 2 paying tenants in City & the Bulls should satisfy the tax payer and once the (RFL/whoevers's) Odsal lease has run out then that area can be sold and/or filled in and then sold to generate funds?

I was in Bradford yesterday and made a point of going to the "pond", at 12.15 it was dead, just one person using a bench. The banana building had very few customers and one unit is now boarded up, it's high level exterior plywood facade nicely complementing the Odeon's plastic sheeting. I am hoping that this unit has been leased and is being fitted out?

[donnybradford]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

Can't a small % of it be used to buy Valley Parade. Something sensible like buying a facility that regularly draws in customers and will provide (long term) a profit? 2 paying tenants in City & the Bulls should satisfy the tax payer and once the (RFL/whoevers's) Odsal lease has run out then that area can be sold and/or filled in and then sold to generate funds?

I was in Bradford yesterday and made a point of going to the "pond", at 12.15 it was dead, just one person using a bench. The banana building had very few customers and one unit is now boarded up, it's high level exterior plywood facade nicely complementing the Odeon's plastic sheeting. I am hoping that this unit has been leased and is being fitted out?

The Valley Parade idea seems good indeed.

The 'pond' as you describe it, tends to fluctuate with the weather. In my experience its busy most evening and weekends.

[Sadbrad]

Originally Posted by Shiny_Dave

Development has started on Mumtaz new food production facilities and head office on Legrams Lane.

Lets hope their tax affairs are kept in good order

[Sadbrad]

Originally Posted by donnybradford

The Valley Parade idea seems good indeed.

The 'pond' as you describe it, tends to fluctuate with the weather. In my experience its busy most evening and weekends.

The pond area is only busy on good weather days which we have fewer of, therefore the majority of the time it won't be busy and dead as a dodo.

I certainly can't see it attracting anything like the quoted £80m in events, when so far, the events held (with the exception of the arrrival of the olympic torch), have been pretty much the same events held BEFORE the pond was born!

The pond is nothing more than a vanity project.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by donnybradford

The Valley Parade idea seems good indeed.

The 'pond' as you describe it, tends to fluctuate with the weather. In my experience its busy most evening and weekends.

I'll take your word for it Donny, but, I've been 4 or 5 times since the opening day and each time it has been dead, just the normal quiet foot traffic past the banana. If we ever do get a sunny dry weekend I will go down in the evening and have another look. .

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by Sadbrad

The pond is nothing more than a vanity project.

Vanity? All the "mirror pool" did yesterday was "mirror" the dismal and slate grey sky!

I see that all the varnish (or whatever it was) on the woodwork has already weathered away, leaving everything a uniform dull colour. I am not impressed, that is £100 materials, 2 guys and 2 days work, maximum, get it done!

[donnybradford]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

I'll take your word for it Donny, but, I've been 4 or 5 times since the opening day and each time it has been dead, just the normal quiet foot traffic past the banana. If we ever do get a sunny dry weekend I will go down in the evening and have another look. .

To be honest its had a nice effect on the people as well. On a clear day there are certainly less yobbos about, or they keep themselves quiet at least. I've been a few times for a friday drink and sat outside lloyds bar. Its pleasant place to be, and certainly worth the money. It will take a long time to pay back money wise, but its a fantastic traffic free place to relax, and a great asset for Bradford as an events space.

Theres always a few skaters and freerunners doing their thing. They mind their own business as well.

I do think the likes of Akbars or Aagrah should open up a unit in the banana. Would certainly bring footfall all days of the week and especially evening.

[bradfordhope]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

Can't a small % of it be used to buy Valley Parade. Something sensible like buying a facility that regularly draws in customers and will provide (long term) a profit? 2 paying tenants in City & the Bulls should satisfy the tax payer and once the (RFL/whoevers's) Odsal lease has run out then that area can be sold and/or filled in and then sold to generate funds?

I was in Bradford yesterday and made a point of going to the "pond", at 12.15 it was dead, just one person using a bench. The banana building had very few customers and one unit is now boarded up, it's high level exterior plywood facade nicely complementing the Odeon's plastic sheeting. I am hoping that this unit has been leased and is being fitted out?

Just for your info chaps. The boarded up unit in the banana is being taken by Bradford College. When finished it will be a Salon where you can have various treatments done by the students at a knock down price.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by donnybradford

To be honest its had a nice effect on the people as well. On a clear day there are certainly less yobbos about, or they keep themselves quiet at least. I've been a few times for a friday drink and sat outside lloyds bar. Its pleasant place to be, and certainly worth the money. It will take a long time to pay back money wise, but its a fantastic traffic free place to relax, and a great asset for Bradford as an events space.

Theres always a few skaters and freerunners doing their thing. They mind their own business as well.

I do think the likes of Akbars or Aagrah should open up a unit in the banana. Would certainly bring footfall all days of the week and especially evening.

I am glad to read that and will make the effort on an evening soon as. Tbh since it's the opening, every time I have visited has coincided with rain, drizzle, a slate grey sky or all three together. I am sure it is a better place with the sun out and a drink in your hand. Who are the drinkers, is it a mixed bunch?

However, I still don't see how the cost will be paid back, ever, never mind bring in the funds that were promised.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by bradfordhope

Just for your info chaps. The boarded up unit in the banana is being taken by Bradford College. When finished it will be a Salon where you can have various treatments done by the students at a knock down price.

That's good and bad, good that is being brought into use and I like the idea of students getting "hands on" experience. It's bad because it's then clear that despite the pool and £30 million the unit still can't find a "real" tenant.

[bradfordhope]

Originally Posted by MarkJF

That's good and bad, good that is being brought into use and I like the idea of students getting "hands on" experience. It's bad because it's then clear that despite the pool and £30 million the unit still can't find a "real" tenant.

True. As others have said i would like to see the old Tulsi unit taken by a decent local restaurant chain, Akbars, Mumtaz someone like that. I'd think it would be very popular just as Nando's has been at the other end. I walk past that place every evening and its usually always busy. But as we all have said before the other projects in the city centre need to be completed so the whole thing has a knock on effect.

[donnybradford]

The parks only been open a few months so give it a chance folks. It's already attracted nando's and the provident decided to locate to that spot with the knowledge that the park was going to be built.

I guess payback will be in terms of raised landvalues around the park. There is more chance of the magistrates court and odeon being developed with the city park than without it!

[Val Verde]

A report has said Bradford has suffered from the second largest decline for a city in England after Hastings in the past 100 years. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.u...since_1901___/

Certainly says a lot about how much Bradford has declined as a city compared with its Victorian hayday presumably due to the collapse of its textile industry and movement of goods, jobs and services to neighbouring areas most particularly Leeds as well as having a history of major social issues. So how badly has Hastings done to get most declined town in England (and I would expect many seaside towns and towns over reliant on one industry to top such a list personally).

[Bradford_Timeline]

Like them or not, Bradford must be the biggest city in the country without a "chain" pizza restaurant- Pizza Express, Ask, Zizzi, Prezzo etc

[Bradfordian]

What about pizza hut!? In other news, a few independent shops are doing well/opening in the city centre, 'The Candle Shop' bottom of Sunbridge road, 'Mother Cookers' sandwich bar next shop up is heaving every morning. Another sandwich bar subway-style opening on market street, called Fresh Fillingz, and a solicitors opening on Manor Row. Very nice to see more vacant shops opening. Manor row is a ghost town at the minute but the new cafe bar in Malik house is kick starting a bit of life into the area so good to see others following suit. And that one side of market street has got to have the most amount of empty premises in the whole city centre, all next to each other but hopefully this will start to change things and there will be more to come. The conversion opposite Tesco Express on Sunbridge road is making good progress and has just had new windows fit, still lots to do though as I saw when I walked past. New unit being fitted in the 'Banana' building. This news will be trivial to most but all good signs surely.

[Leeds No.1]

Surprising that Pizza Express haven't opened in north Bradford. A City Centre location should be pursued without doubt, but Shipley or Saltaire could work well for them.

[MarkJF]

Originally Posted by Bradfordian

What about pizza hut!? In other news, a few independent shops are doing well/opening in the city centre, 'The Candle Shop' bottom of Sunbridge road, 'Mother Cookers' sandwich bar next shop up is heaving every morning. Another sandwich bar subway-style opening on market street, called Fresh Fillingz, and a solicitors opening on Manor Row. Very nice to see more vacant shops opening. Manor row is a ghost town at the minute but the new cafe bar in Malik house is kick starting a bit of life into the area so good to see others following suit. And that one side of market street has got to have the most amount of empty premises in the whole city centre, all next to each other but hopefully this will start to change things and there will be more to come. The conversion opposite Tesco Express on Sunbridge road is making good progress and has just had new windows fit, still lots to do though as I saw when I walked past. New unit being fitted in the 'Banana' building. This news will be trivial to most but all good signs surely.

Not trivial to me, I am always happy and not a little surprised when people chance their luck and open in Bradford, I hope that they do well. I don't think the unit in the Banana has been let to an actual "business" unfortunately.