Latest news with #JonnyNoble
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Broadway 'saddened' after being forced to end Easter event early to vandalism
THE Broadway, Bradford said it is "saddened" after being forced to end a festive event early due to vandalism. The shopping centre in Bradford city centre launched its Easter Doodle Station on Saturday outside the Next store. It was dubbed as an area where children and families could let their "creativity run wild" and draw on the walls and floors in an "interactive, art-filled fun zone". The Broadway said in a Facebook post before the launch: "Hop in and get doodlin'... walls and floors are your canvas." It added: "Don't miss this exciting opportunity to turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece." The Doodle Station/Wall was meant to be in place until Easter Monday next week but it has now been taken down. The Broadway said in a Facebook post this evening: "We're saddened to share that our Easter Doodle Wall has been taken down due to deliberate vandalism. "It's disheartening to see a space created for families and creativity impacted in this way. "Thank you to everyone who got involved." Members of the public expressed their sadness at the news and said it was a "shame", while one person described those responsible as "selfish". Another commenter said they walked across to The Broadway to see if there were any Easter activities taking place when they came across the Doodle Wall. They added: "Our children enjoyed creating their own doodle on it. It's a shame someone ruined it." Meanwhile, Jonny Noble, CEO of the Bradford Improvement District (BID), said: "How awful".
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bradford Soapbox race to show off new city centre
A go-karting race showing off Bradford's new £43m pedestrianised city centre is set to attract some 20,000 tourists to the city over the bank holiday weekend. Jonny Noble, chief executive of Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), hopes the Super Soapbox Challenge event on Sunday 4 May will bring record crowds to Bradford this spring. "With the new pedestrianised areas and the new layout of the city centre, we feel it's an ideal opportunity for people to have a fantastic day - but also have a wander round," said Mr Noble, who represents 400 firms in the city. More than 25 local businesses entered last year's race, with an estimated 15,000 spectators over the course of the day. "Usually we get about 15,000 people on average; the biggest year so far was 17,000," said Mr Noble. "Weather allowing, we're expecting - with Bradford being the UK City of Culture and the feel-good factor - to get towards the 20,000 mark this year. " Mr Noble said the event played an important role in supporting city centre businesses, with spectators spending in shops, cafés and restaurants. He said: "The event's held on a Sunday purposefully to drive that much-needed footfall. He conceded "the Transforming Cities work going on last year... was quite disruptive", but suggested the newly pedestrianised city centre could make this year's event more popular than ever before . He said the starting point for the race track would remain at the top of Kirkgate, continuing on to Bank Street. But instead of turning back along Tyrrel Street, this year it will run towards Market Street - one of the key pedestrianised thoroughfares - towards a new finishing line. There will also be a slalom section, he added, urging any last-minute participants to sign up to the race. "We are still welcoming karts. We've still got a few places left. Go on to the BID website and have a look on the events page," he said. The first Soapbox Challenge was held in Bradford in 2022. "It's great news we'll be returning to Bradford for a fourth year," said Andrew Pearson, marketing director for the event for which Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charity partner. "It's all about team spirit, raising money for great causes, and enjoying the excitement of the race." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. 'Pedestrianisation means more people walking - that means more money' 'Quite an upheaval': Is there an end in sight to Bradford's roadworks? People urged to return to city centre as works end
BBC News
14-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bradford Soapbox race to show off new pedestrianised city centre
A go-karting race showing off Bradford's new £43m pedestrianised city centre is set to attract some 20,000 tourists to the city over the bank holiday weekend. Jonny Noble, chief executive of Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), hopes the Super Soapbox Challenge event on Sunday 4 May will bring record crowds to Bradford this spring. "With the new pedestrianised areas and the new layout of the city centre, we feel it's an ideal opportunity for people to have a fantastic day - but also have a wander round," said Mr Noble, who represents 400 firms in the city. More than 25 local businesses entered last year's race, with an estimated 15,000 spectators over the course of the day. "Usually we get about 15,000 people on average; the biggest year so far was 17,000," said Mr Noble."Weather allowing, we're expecting - with Bradford being the UK City of Culture and the feel-good factor - to get towards the 20,000 mark this year. "Mr Noble said the event played an important role in supporting city centre businesses, with spectators spending in shops, cafés and said: "The event's held on a Sunday purposefully to drive that much-needed conceded "the Transforming Cities work going on last year... was quite disruptive", but suggested the newly pedestrianised city centre could make this year's event more popular than ever before . He said the starting point for the race track would remain at the top of Kirkgate, continuing on to Bank Street. But instead of turning back along Tyrrel Street, this year it will run towards Market Street - one of the key pedestrianised thoroughfares - towards a new finishing line. There will also be a slalom section, he added, urging any last-minute participants to sign up to the race. "We are still welcoming karts. We've still got a few places left. Go on to the BID website and have a look on the events page," he said. The first Soapbox Challenge was held in Bradford in 2022."It's great news we'll be returning to Bradford for a fourth year," said Andrew Pearson, marketing director for the event for which Yorkshire Air Ambulance is a charity partner."It's all about team spirit, raising money for great causes, and enjoying the excitement of the race."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
