The new Bradford Heritage Action Zone (c) Historic England
Historic England funds £2m project to revitalise the city centre
Bradford City Council has been awarded £2m to create a ‘Heritage Action Zone’ in the city’s historic core.
The capital, from Historic England, will fund a three year project covering the historic heart of the city centre in which sits the Grade I listed City Hall.
The Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project will focus on preserving and repurposing important buildings. Regeneration plans include improving shopfronts in the city’s historic Ivegate, and giving repair grants for prominent sites like the ‘Carters Block’ facing Centenary Square.
The project is also set to include a community and cultural programme, encouraging local people to discover and celebrate the city’s heritage. These programmes are designed to align with the city’s existing plans as it gears up for its UK City of Culture 2025 events.
“As the UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford has an opportunity to showcase its rich heritage while creating a vibrant, modern city centre,” said Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive Historic England.
“Our £2 million investment will not only rejuvenate important historic buildings but also make the area more attractive for future investment, benefiting both residents and visitors.”
The Heritage Action Zone adds to projects also in place in the city, including the Bradford City Village development, Darley Street Market, and a new pedestrianisation scheme, part of the £40 million Transforming Cities Fund.
“This Heritage Action Zone will not only preserve our historic buildings but also drive regeneration in the heart of the city, helping us create a vibrant and thriving city centre as we head towards 2025 and our year as the UK City of Culture,” said Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration Bradford Council.
“By connecting our heritage with our future, we’re building a legacy that will benefit generations to come, boosting both local pride and economic growth.”
