A RETROSPECTIVE planning application to turn a bingo hall into a live music venue – which opened almost two years ago – has been approved.

Tickles Music Hall opened in the former Leisureland unit on Westgate in 2021, and has since become one of Bradford’s most popular venues.

Although the building had been a music hall in the past, when it opened in 2021, the planning designation of the unit was technically still bingo hall.

This led to a planning application from Hosted Developments to officially change the use of the building to a public house being submitted to Bradford Council in April.

There had been no objections to the plans, which have now been approved.

Although planning officers acknowledged the application was a retrospective one, they added: “The proposal would contribute to the night-time economy within the City Centre conservation area, thereby would assist in its maintenance and preservation.”