A BRADFORD business owner is hoping that things can improve in 2023, after arguing that money worries and anti-social behaviour have turned part of the city centre into a ghost town.

Awais Hussain opened GG Gaming – an Esports centre which is part of a wider leisure hub at the former Boyes unit on North Parade – in October, but said that footfall in the ‘top of town’ area is scarce.

The 28-year-old university graduate claims that GG Gaming is now the biggest lounge of its kind in Bradford. It boasts impressive tech such as PlayStation 5s, gaming PCs and a UFC cage.

Business has taken a hit, however, amid the cost of living crisis and issues around alcohol and drug abuse, he claimed.

“In terms of footfall for leisure venues, it’s fairly dead,” Awais, from Little Horton, said.

“People can’t afford to go out as much, with the energy crisis.

“For pubs and bars, footfall can be fantastic, but only when Bradford City are at home.”

Awais argued that some may be put off visiting the area.

“No one goes out of their way to visit North Parade, there are a lot of people who are drug and alcohol dependent loitering around, which is unpleasant,” he said.

“People don’t want to expose their kids to that. I wouldn’t bring my niece, for example, around here.

“We had a window smashed by a drunk person recently, this is the type of behaviour you see.

“I don’t want to be negative – and there are positives, too – but I can’t lie about it.”

The business owner has called for action to be taken.

“People behaving anti-socially need to be moved elsewhere, and Bradford Council needs more rehabilitation programmes,” he said.

“There are people picking up cigarette tabs from the floor. It’s not a good look for Bradford.”

GG Gaming has slashed its prices by 25 per cent amid the economic crisis, Awais added, and is giving out a bottle of the popular drink Prime as part of a package.

Awais’ views and calls for action were put to Bradford Council – a spokesperson responded to say that the Council is working to improve the area.

“The top of town has been an important regeneration focus for Bradford Council for some time, hence our £23m investment in Darley Street Market, which will help regenerate Darley Street and reshape the area around it,” they said.

“We have also directed other investments to the top of town. Businesses have been invited to apply for The Bradford City Centre Townscape Heritage Scheme, a £2 million grant programme supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Council.

“It provides funding for property owners and tenants to restore their historic buildings in the top of town.

“Almost £200k of grants have already been awarded and over a dozen projects are being developed by property owners seeking support from the scheme.

“We do understand that the ongoing public realm improvement works on North Parade are causing disruption for businesses in the area, but we are confident the end result will be worth it.

“This is a £2m investment, which shows that we believe this is an important part of the city centre for investment and growth.

“The work will also improve the look and feel of the area, supporting the growth of the evening and leisure economy, as well as bringing environmental benefits and flood resilience measures.

“Working with partners we’ve spent a lot of time strengthening support to help people address drug and/or alcohol use. We will be receiving new funding which will be used to improve access to alcohol and drug treatment recovery services, which includes outreach work.

“In addition, we have successfully bid for funding for services to support more people who are poorly housed, homeless or sleeping rough. These services will build on our existing support and offer resettlement and an opportunity to address drug and/or alcohol issues.

“We also renewed the Public Space Protection Order for the city centre last October. This seeks to reduce the anti-social behaviour associated with drugs and alcohol and gives our Enforcement Officers the powers to respond more effectively to persistent anti-social behaviour.

“They confiscate alcohol from regular ‘street drinkers’ on a daily basis and work closely with the police.”