New city group on a mission to spark a night-time economy revolution

Representatives  of every sector in Bradford’s evening and night-time economy are coming together to make the city a more exciting and enjoyable place after 5pm.

A membership body – called Bradford at Night – is being set up with its own board of voluntary directors and a co-ordinator to dramatically improve Bradford’s after-hours offer.

It will see every sector – pubs, bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, retail, hotels, entertainment venues and leisure destinations, as well as police and security staff – unite to make the quality of its evening experience a key focus of the city’s post-Covid revival.

It has been brought together by Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), but will operate independently.

Alison Lowe, deputy mayor for policing and crime (DMPC) in West Yorkshire, is Patron of the new organisation.

Bradford at Night director, Dave Downes, said: “Bradford is going through a very exciting period – with the City of Culture 2025 shortlisting and important new venues such as Bradford Live and the Darley Street Market opening soon. There can be no better time to grasp the opportunity to revolutionise the city’s evening and night-time economy.

“We want to create an ambitious forward-looking and inspirational city at night with high-class entertainment, varied businesses and investment opportunities that will bring about regeneration and economic growth.”

Elizabeth Murphy, who will run Bradford at Night as evening and night-time economy (ENTE) co-ordinator, said: “The aim of Bradford at Night is for all relevant sectors, businesses and organisations to work together to create a vibrant, varied and safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

“It doesn’t matter whether you run a bar, a cinema, a hotel, play in a band, serve drinks or patrol the streets – we all want the same thing for the city centre, for it to be busy, fun, safe and a great place to be, regardless of your age or gender, whether you’re on your own or with friends and family.

“We want to give residents, visitors and tourists alike a rich mixture of entertainment and leisure options in the evening and encourage to keep coming back for more.”

The organisation will be funded by membership fees but Bradford BID has secured funding to pay the first year’s fees for every business and organisation that joins.

Projects to be managed by Bradford at Night include the launch of monthly meetings for member groups for hoteliers and entertainment destinations and the relaunch of Pubwatch, to provide a safe and responsible social-drinking environment.

Planning has begun to bring in Best Bar None, an accreditation scheme that aims to improve standards in the evening and night-time economy.

Bradford at Night will have its own website, including resources for members, dedicated to promoting the city centre and everything that goes on within it after 5pm.

And it will organise events to attract people to the centre, including a Foodie Fortnight, Live Music Weekends and Beer and Cocktails weeks.