It was clear from the first meeting of the new organisation Boost Bradford Business that while the people behind the commercial life of the city might be bowed following the riots of July 7, they are far from beaten.

Many home truths were spoken during this soul-searching session, initiated by Bradford Chamber of Commerce president-elect John Pennington to help to find a way forward for a city in which many people remain subdued and despondent.

People there were no doubt voicing the views of countless Bradfordians when they spoke of their feelings of shame and embarrassment after the events of that weekend. Some expressed their concern that visitor numbers to the city centre had fallen dramatically, and that even friends and relatives were too scared to come here because of the perception of Bradford created by the appalling outbreak of savagery.

However, it was encouraging that any despair was more than matched by a determination not to let the shameful minority of lawless thugs set the agenda in defiance of the wishes of the vast majority of Bradford people to live in harmony and to see their city prosper.

The clarion call from the meeting was for Bradfordians to pull together, promote the city's good points, get the place working properly, rebuild it physically and spiritually, strive to generate a feelgood factor and engender some pride.

A good start was made yesterday when JCT600 reopened its BMW showroom in on Canal Road just two weeks after being torched out of its premises in Oak Lane. It was timely evidence that the fightback has already begun.