ccording to Bradford Council’s figures, 14 per cent of city centre shops were vacant in late 2009 – a lower figure than the latest report by the Local Data Company which puts it at 22.5 per cent.

The problem of vacant retail and business premises is endemic in Bradford and has been for at least 16 years In October, 1994, the T&A carried out its own survey of city-centre shops which found 83 empty shops and 20 vacant market stalls. In addition, there were at least 57 discount shops. In short, Bradford had no fewer than 160 retail units that were either empty or offering bargain goods.

Despite last week’s report that Bradford is the second-worst city in the country for boarded-up shops, things seem to be improving.

Councillor Adrian Naylor, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, told the T&A there are fewer empty shops. He said: “Studies by our city centre team show that up to September 2008, we had 55 empty units, which rose to 69 in March 2009, but then came down again by late 2009. We are seeing a reduction from the peak.”

That’s an improvement on the figures from the T&A survey in 1994, which found a total of 103 empty shops and market stalls. However, there were more retail units 16 years ago.

Experience shows that take-up of retail and office space fluctuates according to local and national factors – business confidence, the willingness of banks to offer loans, the number of people in paying jobs, the attractiveness of locations and their accessibility, alternatives in other places.

While some see shops and offices as the only sound way to regenerate the city centre, others argue that leisure is the way forward. Three recent developments appear to be tipping the balance in favour of leisure.

Firstly, work is visibly underway on the Council’s £24 million City Park scheme.

Secondly, the National Media Museum is proving to be a major local, national and international attraction.

Thirdly, the wall around the empty Westfield site at Forster Square is to be pushed back; a significant chunk of the ground is to be greened-over and given over to leisure activity until Westfield is ready to start its retail scheme.

Bradford charity Fabric, which works with arts organisations on contributing to the district’s regeneration and skills agenda, is seeking the public’s views on city centre events, asking what they would like in future, then feeding those ideas back to the Council via a report this month.

The charity’s director Gideon Seymour says: “Bradford city centre, in particular Centenary Square, has hosted some great events in recent years, such as Bollywood Steps, Garden Magic, with the brilliant sand sculptures, and last year’s successful Step Up Bradford which saw hundreds of people taking part in a day of dance. “We’re talking to arts organisations, traders and city centre residents, trying to work out how successful established events are in terms of attracting audiences and their impact on city centre economies.”

Mr Seymour says there has been mixed reaction from traders, with some claiming city centre events had boosted trade and others saying they had a negative impact.

“Some traders changed their opening hours to respond to events and this has gone well. All this is based on perceptions and opinions – it’s not an economic assessment,” he says.

“The German market didn’t go well, largely because of stalls not offering what people wanted. You can’t expect people to turn up just because there are stalls. International markets in the past have worked well here because of the variety of stalls and accompanying events.

“With cranes on the skyline, the Westfield hole, the road disruptions and the Odeon in the state it’s in, we have to engage people and look at ways of feeling positive about the city centre. We have to look at how the new spaces, like the City Park, can be utilised for that.”

Fabric is involved with City of Film and Destination Film, aiming to attract people into Bradford. “We’re looking at events which will draw people in, and encourage them to stay. While they’re here for a weekend, visitors can explore the city centre.”

Bradford artist Tim Curtis is working with schools on a project comprising artwork, film, animation, photography and written reports, documenting the City Park. The children’s work will be displayed on hoardings around the City Park site while work is under way.

Tim says the City Park will boost city centre activity. “Water gives a city centre a focal point, it makes it a more pleasant place to visit, live and work in. And water features are great for communal events like concerts.”

Anyone with comments and suggestions on city centre events should contact fabric@creativebradford.co.uk, or at Fabric, The Design Exchange, 34 Peckover Street, Little Germany, Bradford BD1 5BD.