Dark underbelly of UK's new City of Culture plagued by soaring unemployment, ‘spiced-up' druggies & ‘roaming XL Bullies'

The Sun

7 hours ago

CLOSED shops litter the ailing high street and "spiced up" junkies stumble around like zombies or openly inject drugs in dingy doorways.
Bradford - this year's UK City of Culture - has a dark underbelly of high unemployment, petty crime and illegal substance abuse.
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It comes after The Sun laid bare the UK's unemployment capitals, with the Labour government telling thousands of Brits: those who can work should get a job.
In May, the West Yorkshire city had 26,070 people claiming unemployment benefits, a rise on not only this time last year but also the previous month.
Outside of London, it's only behind Birmingham (10.6%) and Luton (7.7%) for joblessness stats.
Known as the "wool capital of the world" in its Victorian boom era, it's had a sad fall from grace.
Locals complain that jobs are hard to find as high street stores, banks, and pubs close.
JOB CENTRE
Former ventilation fitter Timmy worked on the Broadway Shopping Mall opposite the Jobcentre before he was sent to prison and lost his livelihood.
'I've gone to the Jobcentre today because I've just got out of jail and want to get back to work,' he told The Sun.
'I'm normally self-employed, I'm a skilled air conditioning ventilation fitter, but it's looking to be pretty hard finding work in Bradford at the moment.
The UK's top 10 unemployment hotspots
This data, compiled by the ONS, shows the percentage of people in the Claimant Count for unitary and local authorities in the UK.
The Claimant Count refers to the number of people claiming unemployment-related benefits, primarily Jobseeker's Allowance and Universal Credit, who are required to seek work.
Birmingham (10.6%)
Newham (8.5%)
Barking and Dagenham (8.5%)
Haringey (8.2)
Brent (8.2%)
Enfield (7.8%)
Luton (7.7%)
Bradford (7.5%)
Hackney (7.5%)
Waltham Forest (7.4%)
Lewisham (7.3%)
Wolverhampton (7.3%)
Ealing (7.2%)
Sandwell (7.2%)
Tower Hamlets (7.2%)
Oldham 7.0 %
Croydon (6.9%)
Slough (6.6%)
Redbridge (6.5%)
Lambeth (6.5%)
'Most of my work would be away from the city anyway. I've got all my tickets, fork-lift licence, driving licence, wagon driving licence, etc.
'I'm obviously looking for work but it is not easy.
'Them lot in the Jobcentre are offering jobs on basic wages in factories and stuff, but I'm skilled and I have a trade.'
Unemployment in Bradford represents a 7.5 per cent rate, according to the latest figures.
That is an increase of 230 claimants compared to the previous month and 420 compared to May 2024.
The UK unemployment rate for people aged 16+ was 4.7 per cent in March-May 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Darley Street Market
A recent boon for Bradford is the state-of-the art Darley Street Market, which opened its doors last weekend.
The new market was buzzing with vendors and customers alike during The Sun's visit, and it had a vibrant atmosphere.
It also has provided work for many Bradfordians, including Demi-Leigh Turner, 24, who is delighted to be behind the counter at Jake's Bakehouse in the market having been unemployed prior to its opening.
'It's brilliant to be working there and we are really busy,' said Demi-Leigh.
'It has been hard work, there is a lot of footfall at the market, but I'm loving it.
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'This is a real success story for Bradford. Everybody in there is happy.'
However, just outside the market on a street bench on Darley Street was a "spiced-up" man in a drugged-up stupor, making an upsetting and unnerving sight for shoppers and parents with young children.
Up the road, towards the old Oastler Shopping Centre and Market, which is now shuttered up due to the new relocation, there are down-and-outs hanging around.
Two scruffy and skeletal men were wandering the streets, roll-up in hand and accompanied by a pair of XL bully-type dogs, off their leash.
Another seemingly homeless guy was trying to flog a TV to passers-by.
Bradford as City of Culture 2025
Bradford was named the UK City of Culture for 2025 due to its rich cultural heritage, diverse communities and innovative spirit.
The designation was given by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
It means the West Yorkshire city gains access to funding to improve its infrastructure and arts facilities, and will continue to host events until the end of the year.
Bradford won their bid in May 2022, beating County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough.
More than a million people have engaged with the city's Culture projects so far this year, according to organisers.
Its outdoor opening ceremony featured a performance by magician Stephen Frayne.
The UK City of Culture programme began in 2013.
Approaching our reporter with the screen in his arms, he asked for £10 for the goods.
Beggers linger at traffic lights on busy junctions intimidating waiting motorists into handing over cash.
And junkies openly take drugs in dingy shop doorways and litter-strewn alleyways before crashing out on benches or seeking out another store to shoplift.
On Kirkgate, a once bustling shopping street, numerous loafers were hanging about swigging booze from cans and shouting at each other.
One man had emptied the industrial bin beside the British Heart Foundation charity store and was messily rummaging through its contents.
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A charity shop volunteer said:'He doesn't care if he is making a mess.
He is often doing this to look for things to sell on to buy drugs.
'He is very aggressive on some days.
'As soon as we put the bins out he is at them. He's after the coat hangers, they might fetch him a few quid."
There was a distinct absence of any police officers patrolling the city centre.
Cops raid large cannabis farm in landmark building
By Mark Lister
POLICE found a large cannabis farm at a landmark Bradford city centre building over the weekend.
West Yorkshire Police were called to reports of a burglary at Sunwin House on Sunday.
On arrival, a large cannabis farm was found.
A 36-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, remains in police custody.
Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene.
Police attention has been focused on the side of the building, near Goit Side, with several force vehicles and an extensive cordon in place.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of producing a controlled drug of class B, he remains in police custody at this time.
"Police were called to reports of a burglary on Sunbridge Road.
"On arrival, officers located a large cannabis farm. Enquiries remain ongoing at the scene."
Sunwin House dates back to the 1930s, when it was constructed as a Co-operative emporium.
More recently, it was used as a TJ Hughes department store and awarded a Grade II listing for its architectural significance.
Since TJ Hughes shut its doors 15 years ago, the building has been mainly empty.
But some locals still like the place.
Former squaddie Jonny James, 32, was born and bred in Bradford and described living there as 'bloody brilliant'.
'I can't work at the moment though, due to my disability,' he says brandishing his badly scarred left arm which he damaged in a car crash.
'Before the accident I was in the Army, Royal Artillery. I'm on the sick now though.
'I don't mind living in Bradford, it has its good and bad sides, like a lot of places.
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'I love the place because of the people.'
Student Madison Kirby, 16, said: "There are not many opportunities for employment in the city centre as all the shops are shutting down.
'There are too many people and not enough jobs in Bradford.'
Another student Vanessa Soydere, 18, came to the city from Turkey 13 years ago.
'I hope to find work in Bradford when I have finished my studies,' she said.
'Coming from Turkey to Bradford was obviously a bit different, but I've got used to it now.
'There are obviously some things that go on which are not nice and you do see some sights.'
The Sun has approached Bradford City Council for comment.
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