We should celebrate the cultural heritage of Leeds Road in Bradford

Far from being one of the more eyebrow-raising legacies of Bradford’s year in the cultural spotlight, I think it can and should rival any city as a fascinating, historic, and gastronomically-great place to pop into your Google maps.

Let’s get something out of the way first. Leeds Road has a reputation. Some of it relates to bad driving and the appalling rise of anti-social vehicle use that Bradfordians must never be afraid to confront or feel unable to call out. But nor should it come to define the scores of thriving businesses, creative entrepreneurs, or thousands of law-abiding locals who call Leeds Road and its surrounding streets home. It’s by working with them and focussing on what gives the area its unique character, that this part of the city can thrive.

During the dark days of Covid, one of BD3’s brightest bards, Kamal Kaan, dedicated a series of poems to his favourite parts of the city - the ones we were all missing while being confined to our homes. Alongside the splendour of the Wool Exchange and brooding Bronte Country, the always impeccably-dressed Kamal picked out Leeds Road for its vibrancy, its authenticity, and of course its food. The latter is indisputably good. In Bradford, we can sometimes get whipped up in trademark Yorkshire exceptionalism, but I am certain that this city’s curry is the best in the land. And where better to seek it out than up the Leeds Road? For City of Culture to bolster our tourism credentials, we should absolutely be sending pakora-loving pilgrims off the beaten track to discover these delights for themselves.

It’s not just new visitors who could find themselves falling in love with Leeds Road, but people from Bradford itself who may be pleasantly surprised by how popular the street’s cafes and dessert parlours are from dawn til dusk, particularly with younger people. Anyone who’s had the pleasure of visiting during Ramadan, after fast has broken, will find the area alive with activity. It feels welcoming. It feels safe.

There is, crucially for any tourist destination, a lot of tangible and intangible heritage to shout about too. On the food front, a Leeds Road curry is about much more than bhajis and biryani. There are fascinating social histories to be shared here. You only have to note the recent outpouring of sadness and respect following the passing of some notable pioneers of one of this city’s greatest exports. The comments from people far and wide have been astonishing, and proof that the sharing of food, the breaking of bread, does so much more to unify our communities than we give it credit for. Is that not worth promoting? Fighting for? I think so.

There’s other heritage too. Steadman Terrace, just off Leeds Road, was the childhood home of David Hockney, and further up the hill was the home of famous 19th Century athlete Emma Sharp. Sharp was famous for the sport of ‘pedestrianism’, and notably completed the feat of walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 minutes in 1864 - the first woman to do so. Such was the outrage that a woman was taking part in this male-dominated pursuit, that several burly blokes set booby traps along her walking route. Thankfully, Bradford lasses are made of sterner stuff, and our Emma was able to see off any acts of sabotage by tucking two loaded pistols in her striking tweed suit. Sharp is, in my opinion, an outstanding candidate for a blue plaque.

The Leeds Road of today can absolutely shine in its own right with the right support. Making more of its proximity to the city centre on foot or bus is a good start - highlighting the fact that you don’t need to be Emma Sharp to stroll from Broadway to Mughals Sweet Centre within 20 minutes, for example. Illuminations, decorations, and tasteful street art would also be welcome too, alongside efforts to declutter and widen some pavements where needed. Businesses, restaurants, and cafes also need to feel part of the wider Bradford story too - being featured in regional destination guides and websites, with a strong collective neighbourhood ‘identity’ will be a huge help. Leeds Road could also play a leading role in the national conversation about shifting attitudes to night-time economies, particularly centred on young people and evening cafe culture.

Leeds Road is never going to be Ilkley Moor nor Haworth High Street. It will forge its own identity and appeal to many different audiences, certainly not to all tastes. But if we want lesser-known neighbourhoods to succeed, then it’s also incumbent on everyone else to step out of their comfort zones and give something new a try too. After all, variety is the spice of life...

* Si Cunningham is chair of Bradford Civic Society.