BRADFORD has been named the best city in the UK to have a night out on a budget.

A new survey sees Bradford top the list of major cities where people can have a meal and a night out without breaking the bank. As well as the cost of a night in Bradford, the report highlights the wave of new bars and restaurants opening in the city centre in recent years.

It is based on the average cost of a pint of beer and three- course meal for two people in the UK’s 30 largest cities.

Bradford is first in a top five that also includes Newcastle, Birmingham, Sunderland and Portsmouth.

The survey was carried out by financial service Wonga in the run-up to the Christmas season, a time of year when many have their costliest nights out of the year.

Describing Bradford, the report says: “Sandwiched between Leeds and Manchester, Bradford might not be the first northern town that springs to mind when you’re thinking of a destination for a night out. However, with new bars and restaurants opening across the city, there are plenty of locations for a great night out without breaking the bank.

“The average cost of a pint is £2.73, and for those looking for a more sophisticated evening, Bradford is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.”

In the past few years the city centre has seen the opening of Sunbridgewells - an underground complex of bars - new venues on North Parade, new and refurbished bars and clubs in the centre’s West End behind the Alhambra, and restaurants around The Broadway shopping centre.

Val Summerscales, from the Bradford Chamber of Trade, feels the findings reflect the city’s improving night-time economy. She said: “Bradford has always aspired to welcome visitors to its evening economy. There have been a lot of new bars opening in the last year, particularly Sunbridgewells and up on North Parade. There are a lot of new restaurants around Bradford. We’ve also got the jewel in the crown that is the Alhambra that brings people in on evenings.

“I’m delighted Bradford has been recognised in this way.”

Nigel Booth runs The Underground - a live music venue and bar/nightclub on Duke Street that opened last year. He said: “I find that we are getting more and more people coming in who have come from outside of Bradford, and they ofter wander into town after seeing a gig here. Bradford is becoming the place to be.

“It is not just about being cheap - a lot of the bars in the city are prepared to make the extra effort. The bars work together to create a nice environment for people to come out and enjoy themselves.”

Coun Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing and Transport, said: “We have a great and thriving nightlife in Bradford which has been recently enhanced by bars and restaurants opening up around The Broadway Shopping Centre and the opening of the fantastic and unique Sunbridgewells tunnel development and the established independent bar scene at the top of town on North Parade mean that Bradford has something for everyone looking for a great night out.

"We are also looking forward to the opening of The Light boutique cinema and restaurants complex in spring next year which will add to a great Bradford night out."