Latest news with #LittleGermany
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bradford's Little Germany to get new promotion push
An area of Bradford filled with Victorian buildings which once formed the thriving hub of the city's wool industry is to be promoted in a new campaign. Little Germany is home to 55 listed sites, but several businesses have moved out of the area, leaving many of the 19th Century buildings to be converted into flats. A spokesperson for Impact Hub Bradford said a team had been set up to encourage more businesses, visitors and investment into the Mason, chair of the Little Germany Steering Group, said: "If this was anywhere else in the world, it would be revered, promoted and celebrated." Heritage trails, film tours, regular cultural events and the roll-out of a series of blue plaques would all be used to promote the area, Impact Hub Bradford said.A new website had also been launched to highlight the area, its history and buildings, and new Little Germany branding had been produced to be used on signs and promotional two empty buildings on Chapel Street would be brought back into public use in the coming years, according to a spokesperson for the campaign would have the motto "This is the story of Bradford in stone." At a launch event on Thursday, Mr Mason said the area "might have lost a bit of its soul over the years"."Depending on which time of year you come, you will see the area in a different light – quite literally."People in Bradford don't often shout about the city's successes. It is not that they hide their light under a bushel, it is that they hide that bushel under another bushel."It is time we celebrate Little Germany as an important part of Bradford's regeneration."Mr Mason, who is also chief executive of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the new campaign coincided with "palpable momentum" to improve Bradford, spurred on by the City of Culture 2025 celebrations and the promotion of Bradford City's promotion to League Rashid, who founded Impact Hub Bradford, said the success of the venture showed Little Germany was a good base for business and creative groups. 'Great city' Impact Hub had plans to expand into 30 Chapel Street – a long derelict building that would offer much more space, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS). Last year, a planning application to convert the building into office and co-working spaces, complete with cafe, workshops and a conference space, was approved by Bradford Rashid pointed out that Little Germany was built by European immigrants, adding: "Bradford is seen as a city of immigrants, and many say that in a negative way. "But if you look at history, German migrants came and built this area and helped Bradford become the great city it became."Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford Civic Society, said there was "a lot of optimism" around Bradford, but he added that promoting the city could be "exhausting and character building"."A lot of people don't want to give up on Bradford because there are so many opportunities," he Cunningham explained that there were plans to refurbish existing blue plaques in the area, as well as rolling out new ones marking the area's history, such as the foundation of the Independent Labour Party there in 1893. There would also be a number of heritage days, he West, former director of Little Germany Action, said: "It is a stunning place, but it could be so much better." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bradford Playhouse to become more accessible after fundraiser
A campaign to make a historical theatre more accessible has surpassed its planned target by more than £5,000.A fundraising appeal started earlier this year by Bradford Playhouse, on Peckover Street in Little Germany, reached just over its original £10,000 the theatre company said in a post on social media that a volunteer had donated an extra £5,000 on the final day before fundraising closed, bringing their total up to £15, Megan Wilson said the original target was set up to help "ensure that every member of our community can experience the joy of live theatre". She said: "This project is about breaking down barriers and making the arts accessible to everyone."We're asking our audiences, supporters and the wider community to help us make this happen."The money will go towards adding a lift from the street level to the bar in the art deco building, as well as a new washroom and accessible internal work will further include a new doorway, the removal of metal additions from the 1990s and a repaint of the building – essentially restoring much of its 1930s design. 'Incredible help' The building is also currently being given an external makeover after works were approved by Bradford Council in Playhouse has been at the heart of the city's cultural scene since the playwright JB Priestley, who wrote the acclaimed play An Inspector Calls, was president of the theatre from 1932 until his death in theatre hosts numerous performances throughout the year, including its annual the layout of the building, including a stepped access, means it is not fully accessible.A post from the theatre thanked those who had shared their support for the works, as their "generosity is making a world of difference".The post added: "Although the official campaign has ended, we're keeping it open for a while longer to accept additional donations."Along with the generous support from Bradford 2025, your incredible help means we're one step closer to making Bradford Playhouse a welcoming, accessible space for everyone." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
