The City of Culture tour is well underway in Bradford as 10 judges explore some of the district's most historic and exciting sites.

Headed up by Sir Phil Redmond CBE, the panel will hear about Bradford's ambitious plans for the future and its iconic cultural gems throughout today.

It comes just one day after the panel's trip to bid rival County Durham. 

But how has the visit been going so far? 

Stop one: National Science and Media Museum and Bradford city centre

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Picture via National Science and Media Museum.Picture via National Science and Media Museum.

The panel attended a special ‘welcome’ event at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford city centre to hear introductions from key Bradford 2025 partners.

This included Bradford Council, the University of Bradford and the Born in Bradford project, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and more.

The panel then split into two groups in order to take in as much of Bradford’s cultural landscape as possible and learn how a City of Culture year could impact the district.

As part of the city-centre focused element of the tour, the panel donned hard hats for a behind the scenes tour of the former Odeon building.

The judges learnt how the art deco building will be transformed into Bradford Live, a 4,000 capacity live entertainment venue.

Stop two: Kala Sangam Arts Centre

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kala Sangam, pictured. Kala Sangam, pictured.

The panel met some of the district’s leading voices in the live performance scene, including Animated Space, Bent Architect, Bradford Producing Hub, Common Space, Dance United Yorkshire and Freedom Studios. 

All of these people have played a key role in bringing the stories of Bradford’s diverse, multicultural communities to life.

Stop three: Little Germany

To showcase the ambitious capital investments currently underway in the city, the Expert Advisory Panel were taken through the streets of Little Germany to see the £23 million flagship Darley Street Market, which will include a 750-capacity performance venue, and the historic 'top of town' area. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Picture by Mark Davis shows the filmset for The Crown in Little Germany. Several police cars and other vintage vehicles were brought in and used for filming while the star-studded cast could be seen in costume.Picture by Mark Davis shows the filmset for The Crown in Little Germany. Several police cars and other vintage vehicles were brought in and used for filming while the star-studded cast could be seen in costume.

The 'top of town' area was chosen to showcase Bradford Council’s 10-year vision to create a vibrant ‘City Village’ of around 1,000 attractive new homes as well as a place for businesses to trade, invest and grow. 

Stop four: Lister's Mill, Manningham

The second panel group toured Manningham where they visited the landmark Lister Mills, once the beating heart of the global textile industry and now home to more than 300 residents and a thriving cultural community.

The panel were introduced to members of Mind The Gap, England's leading learning disability performance and live arts company.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Photo via T&A Camera Club members Rais Hasan (left) and Dave Zdanowicz (right). Left image shows the Lister Mills' chimney lit up for a light show in March and the right image shows the mill’s chimneys against a calming, cloudy backdrop of the district. Photo via T&A Camera Club members Rais Hasan (left) and Dave Zdanowicz (right). Left image shows the Lister Mills' chimney lit up for a light show in March and the right image shows the mill’s chimneys against a calming, cloudy backdrop of the district.

The studios are based at the mill, where judges heard more about how Bradford’s heritage buildings will play a key part in Bradford’s City of Culture year should it win.

The bid used the recent imaginative 'Mills are Alive in Manningham' live projection show to highlight this point.

Stop five: Keighley

The group then set off to Keighley to meet the artists behind Keighley Creative, a new arts hub which has ambitious expansion plans as part of the Towns Fund proposals.

The panel were also introduced to a number of faith leaders across the district, with visits to the Hindu Cultural Society and Bradford Central Mosque.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Ramp Revamp Project, hosted by Keighley Creative, saw the group transform an ‘under appreciated’ part of the town, into somewhere that the community can come together and enjoy.The Ramp Revamp Project, hosted by Keighley Creative, saw the group transform an ‘under appreciated’ part of the town, into somewhere that the community can come together and enjoy.

There were also introductions to the Indian Women’s Association, Punjabi Roots Academy and Amal Foundation.

Young people are at the heart of Bradford's bid, as it is Europe’s youngest city (29% of its population is under 20 and nearly a quarter under 16). 

The judges met some of the young people who have been instrumental in shaping Bradford’s bid.

They also heard from several of the organisations in the district such as Allstars Entertainment, which aims to break down the barriers on young people accessing music making opportunities. It included Speaker’s Corner Collective – a creative social space led by women and young girls to bring people together to create positive action.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Photo taken in 2017 shows Mehmoona Parvez speaking at the first Speaker's Corner event.Photo taken in 2017 shows Mehmoona Parvez speaking at the first Speaker's Corner event.

Stop six: Salts Mill in Saltaire

All panel members came together at Salts Mill in Saltaire for a lunch attended by over 150 of the district’s creative, business and community leaders.

This was also an opportunity for them to view its world-renowned David Hockney collection, with the jewel in the crown: a 90m (295ft) long artwork entitled 'A Year In Normandie', Hockney’s biggest ever picture.

The exhibit opened to the public last week and it is the first time the work has been shown in the UK.

Shanaz Gulzar, chair of Bradford 2025, said: “I want to thank all the brilliant creatives, businesses, community groups and individuals who pulled out all the stops today to showcase just why Bradford deserves to be the next UK City of Culture.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Photo via Sean Gibson shows Salts Mill.Photo via Sean Gibson shows Salts Mill.

"We tried to take the Expert Advisory Panel on a journey, not just geographically around the district – but to discover all those things that make Bradford so unique: our heritage, our radical thinking, our boldness, our young people who are hungry for change and want to tell a different story of Bradford.

"I think we demonstrated today that not only does Bradford need the City of Culture title, but we also want it, we’re ready for it and it’s most definitely our time."

The Expert Advisory Panel are visiting all four of the shortlisted places which also include County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough, before a winner is announced at the end of this month.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We showcased to the judging panel today what the district has to offer – both why it needs City of Culture 2025 and how it can deliver a unique and diverse year of culture. It will put Bradford district on the map – bringing in more visitors, new jobs in tourism, and help revitalise the city centre evening economy as well as our towns and villages after some challenging years. 

“This bid is already part of a long-term vision. The district has put culture at the heart of its social and economic recovery from the pandemic and this bid forms part of the Council’s 10-year cultural strategy. Most of all – it offers a platform for the voices and experiences of our many communities and cultures.

"This is Bradford’s moment to showcase to the world how modern British culture can come together to create a great place. This is Bradford’s time.”