Bradford

Bradford is a great northern city and economy of significant scale located within a wider Metropolitan District with a population of over half a million. The district is almost two thirds rural, with large urban towns, smaller market towns and villages, set within the landscape of the southern Pennine hills, and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is a beautiful place, with a stunning architectural heritage, home to enterprising and creative people, and strong and productive businesses.

Bradford is the youngest city in the UK, and is located at the centre of the Northern Powerhouse economy. We are an influential player in the wider West Yorkshire economy and the Leeds City Region. Bradford is one of the most international cities in the UK, globally connected by businesses trading across the world. Our model for economic growth is inclusive and sustainable, with the opportunity to learn from the innovative ‘circular economy’ unit at the University of Bradford, as we work to address the climate emergency.

Our urban population is diverse, with a large, long-established South Asian population, and a more recent increase in the size and diversity of our smaller, established Central and Eastern European communities. Our diverse communities bring skills and entrepreneurialism to add to our long established position as a city of makers. We have a rich heritage of cultural traditions old and new, we aim to be the 2026 UK Capital of Culture. Bradford district has two UNESCO designations – Creative City of Film, and Saltaire World Heritage Site.