Latest news with #Ross-Shaw
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Milestone' as city centre park nears completion
A new city centre park is now home to thousands of plants, shrubs and trees as a multimillion-pound regeneration and pedestrianisation project nears completion. The 10,000 sq m (2.5 acre) green space of Norfolk Gardens marks the final key element of a scheme that has transformed and pedestrianised large parts of Bradford city centre. Officials said more than 7,700 plants and shrubs, 57 trees, and a total of 173 species had been planted in recent weeks, boosting local biodiversity. Alex Ross-Shaw, the council's executive member for regeneration, said the completion of the planting "marks another major milestone" in the wider project, which is due to be completed later this month. Norfolk Gardens marks the final phase of a major £45m infrastructure project delivered by Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The council - which is operating under wider financial pressures - stressed the money was from a specific government transport fund, and could not be used for other purposes, such as delivering day-to-day council services or other projects. The associated roadworks caused some frustration among businesses, and the project, originally scheduled to finish by the start of the Bradford's 2025 year of culture, was dogged by delays. However, some firms have already reported an uplift and hopes of a full turnaround. The new park has also become home to the city centre's relocated mermaid statue, which was previously housed in the Jacobs Well roundabout subway. Final touches, including a gravel surface for new cycleways and footpaths, are among the last elements to be completed before the park opens and work finishes later this month. Ross-Shaw added the planting had been designed to "reflect the heritage and culture of the district". "Once complete this Norfolk Gardens area will form a welcoming green space in the heart of the city centre," he added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Shops say they will not survive city's roadworks Roadworks to be finished in time for Bradford 2025
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Late night alcohol licences sought for new market
A new market in Bradford will be able to serve alcohol until 23:00 every night if licences are approved. Bradford Council has submitted applications for licences for Darley Street Kitchen and the Market Square at the new Darley Street Market, which, if given the go-ahead, would allow alcohol to be sold and live music to be performed. They would also allow recorded music to be played, as well as films to be shown and indoor sporting events, dance or theatrical performances to be held. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said the licences were a "key step for us in ensuring the market will be ready to welcome visitors and make the experience extra special when it is ready to be opened". Mr Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, added: "By having these in place it will allow us to hold live performances and create a really vibrant atmosphere in the new space. "We know the new market will be a real game changer for the city centre. "It will provide a much-needed connection between the already completed improvement work in the area around North Parade, and the new public spaces and traffic-free areas at the lower end of town." The project to regenerate markets in Bradford has included replacing the old Oastler and Kirkgate markets at a cost of £31m. The new 43,000 sq ft (4,000 sq m) Darley Street Market building will have three trading floors aimed at welcoming independent traders and live entertainment. The market was originally due to open in 2024, but the council has since said it would open later this year. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. New market 'has gone comically over budget' Details of more funding for market kept secret New market's opening delayed but demand high Market project needs extra £2.4m Bradford Council
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Late night alcohol licences sought for new Darley Street market
A new market in Bradford will be able to serve alcohol until 23:00 every night if licences are Council has submitted applications for licences for Darley Street Kitchen and the Market Square at the new Darley Street Market, which, if given the go-ahead, would allow alcohol to be sold and live music to be would also allow recorded music to be played, as well as films to be shown and indoor sporting events, dance or theatrical performances to be Alex Ross-Shaw said the licences were a "key step for us in ensuring the market will be ready to welcome visitors and make the experience extra special when it is ready to be opened". Mr Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, added: "By having these in place it will allow us to hold live performances and create a really vibrant atmosphere in the new space."We know the new market will be a real game changer for the city centre. "It will provide a much-needed connection between the already completed improvement work in the area around North Parade, and the new public spaces and traffic-free areas at the lower end of town."The project to regenerate markets in Bradford has included replacing the old Oastler and Kirkgate markets at a cost of £ new 43,000 sq ft (4,000 sq m) Darley Street Market building will have three trading floors aimed at welcoming independent traders and live market was originally due to open in 2024, but the council has since said it would open later this year. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Guardian
24-03-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Bradford Live is not dead: new operator found for troubled Yorkshire venue
In many ways, it was the kind of marketing that money simply could not buy. Bradford Live, a new 3,900-capacity, city-centre entertainment venue, was splashed over the pages of local newspapers, made the subject of Facebook groups and even afforded national headlines. Unfortunately, it was for the wrong reasons. The exceptionally well-restored West Yorkshire concert hall was brimming with possibilities, but was unable to open in November as planned because there was no operator in place to run it. To make matters worse, it had been funded with £50m from the public purse – most of which was paid for locally by a council with a budget crisis. However, that chapter in the 95-year-old building's history looks finally set to close, after a deal was struck with Trafalgar Entertainment, which runs 19 other venues in the UK including the Glasgow Pavilion and London's Trafalgar and Olympia theatres, and Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia. Acts are being confirmed, staff are being hired, and there is a new sense of optimism in the city that the venue really will open within the next six months. 'Generations of people have been coming here for shows, for the ballroom, when it was a bingo hall, when it was a cinema,' said councillor Alex Ross-Shaw. 'Literally generation after generation has their own memories of this venue, and that's why there was such a huge public campaign to save it. Being able to do that and secure its future so that the next generations can build those memories, it's been really fantastic.' The Midlands-based NEC Group pulled out of the original deal to run the venue in September last year, just months before it was due to open. Locals who had fought to save it from demolition were frustrated, and Ross-Shaw said it became 'the biggest talking point' in the city. He was unable to say anything while the tender process was ongoing – and while the council dealt with a budget crisis and unpopular council tax rises. 'But it's great to be able to talk about it now and it's all very exciting,' he added. Bradford has taken a beating when it comes to local authority cuts. Since 2011, £350m has been cut from its budget, and rising demand for council services has created a 'perfect storm', Ross-Shaw said. About two-thirds of what the council spends goes on social care for children and adults. The city is home to some of the most deprived wards in England and poverty is on a scale rarely seen in other parts of the country. According to Ross-Shaw, the investment in Bradford Live amounted to 0.4% of the council's overall budget. 'If we don't want to be completely relying on central government for the future of Bradford, we have to be able to generate our own revenues and business rates, grow the economy, grow housing,' he said. 'Having a regeneration programme is inevitably going to be part of that, and Bradford deserves that investment. 'We saw that there was a need for the council to step in and provide that when the private sector wouldn't. And obviously by doing that, we give the private sector confidence it can come in and invest in Bradford.' Some locals still fear the venue will not be able to deliver good returns amid a cost of living crisis where concert and gig tickets are a luxury. The late opening will also prevent the venue from capitalising on Bradford's status as this year's UK city of culture. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion However, Darren Moore, the venue director at Bradford Live, is confident that the seats will be filled when the doors finally open. 'There's not another indoor venue of this size in West Yorkshire,' he said. 'There's a circuit of [similar mid-size venues] appearing. There's one opening in Derby, there's one in Hull, you've got one up at Stockton. So it's a developing market.' For Sir Howard Panter, joint chief executive and co-founder of Trafalgar Entertainment, it is a project with something of a personal connection. He says he was brought up to believe the city was 'the centre of the universe' by his Bradfordian father. Panter described the building as 'world-class' and said: 'The phone has been off the hook ever since it was announced that we were the operator.' He added: 'I think it will unquestionably generate far more for the local economy than the local economy has invested in it,' citing research showing that a minimum of £1.40 is expected to be made for every £1 invested. 'So I think, over the years, Bradford will be a brighter and wealthier and happier place because of Bradford Live.'
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Double red lines proposed for busy Bradford bus route
Double red lines could be installed on a busy bus route as part of a scheme to improve public proposals for Manchester Road in Bradford would mean anyone parking on the lines would be immediately Council's plans, which have gone out to public consultation, also include new crossings, tree planting, more bus lanes and improved bus Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, said the plans would "significantly improve" the road. He said: "By reducing congestion, prioritising public transport and creating better walking routes, we're not only improving daily journeys but also building healthier, more connected neighbourhoods."Double red lines are monitored by 24/7 CCTV and drivers are not given a grace period to move on like with double yellow consultation says: "We are also considering using parking enforcement cameras in the bus lanes to back up these restrictions along the section of Manchester Road between the junctions with Runswick Street and St Stephen's Road."To do this, we would introduce a 'red route', which comprises double red lines along the bus lanes."This doesn't change any of the restrictions in the bus lane, but does mean we are able to install automatic parking enforcement cameras."Meanwhile, earlier plans for a South Bradford park and ride scheme, which would include a 700-space car park and bus travel from the M606 down Manchester Road into the city centre, have been scaled for the plans was first announced by the government more than five years ago, according to the Local Democracy Reporting rising costs of this and other schemes from the Transforming Cities Fund led to the park and ride being scaled back and plans for new cycle routes paused. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
