I remember as a lad scavenging for used cartridge shells in Undercliffe Cemetery. They were the debris of a scene from the film Billy Liar.

It wasn’t so much the cartridges themselves that excited me (although for a generation growing up on a diet of war films and westerns, there was a buzz in owning them), but rather their link to the glitzy world of cinema.

As the official launch of Bradford as the City of Film approaches, business leaders are hoping that some stardust will settle on the local economy.

They are hoping for some tangible business opportunities on the back of the project.

But those behind the scheme are also certain that the value of the ‘feel-good’ factor generated by the city’s new status could be immeasurable. It is being viewed as a possible springboard for a degree of economic regeneration.

Bradford’s undoubted achievement at being named the world’s first UNESCO City of Film has even turned the heads of those unimpressed with previous attempts to change its image and fortunes.

According to Screen Yorkshire, the body that promotes the region to the industry, film and TV work has generated more than £70m for Yorkshire’s economy in recent years. So, it’s big business already.

For too long, says the city’s chamber of commerce, Bradford’s down-at-heel image has stood in the way of a reinvigorated economy.

This city, once richer than all its neighbours, has found it tough to replace the wealth once produced by wool, engineering and other staple industries.

Sandy Needham, chamber chief executive, is urging firms to get behind the City of Film. Bradford Chamber of Commerce has produced a guide to help its 1,100 member firms get involved. This includes tips for using the COF to promote themselves and the city, as well as related branding to use on company literature and websites.

Sandy said: “This is a massive achievement for Bradford and will help to put it on the map for all the right reasons. While essentially a cultural and creative exercise, it could have potentially big-business spin-offs for companies of all kinds.

“We want people to be talking and thinking about Bradford for positive reasons. We’ve had our share of problems, but winning the City of Film designation could be a real morale booster and provide a platform for economic growth.”

One of the movers and shakers who helped Bradford achieve the accolade was Neil Gaydon, boss of one of the district’s most successful companies, Pace plc, at Saltaire.

The links with film for the world’s second-largest supplier of digital TV set-top boxes is clear, but Neil saw the wider potential of the City of Film and worked behind the scenes on the steering group which ran the successful bid to UNESCO.

As well as lending his weight and undoubted drive to the bid, Neil also arranged for Pace to provide free help with the campaign’s branding and marketing.

Helen Kettleborough, Pace communications chief, has taken over from Neil on the COF board, She said: “The City of Film has obvious relevance for us as a company, but we also believe it will be good for Bradford which is our global base and still a great city. Neil’s involvement from the start and our continued support is a way for us to put something back and hopefully help make the district more successful.

“Becoming City of Film is a real motivating force for the area and something to be proud and be excited about. We are looking at other ways of being involved, such as holding a regular film club at our base in Salts Mill.”

Alan Biggin, Bradford accountant and non-executive director of Bradford City FC, has been underwhelmed by previous official regeneration efforts, from the days of Bradford’s Bouncing Back in the 1980s to the recent Bradford Centre Regeneration initiative.

And yet, the City of Film has sparked a glimmer of optimism in Alan, of accountants Bostocks Boyce Welch.

He said: “In spite of my negative attitude to Bradford’s hopeless attempts to obtain ‘street cred’, I believe there is some opportunity in the City of Film.

“I believe the city’s architectural assets and its incomparable local natural sandstone readily lend it a discerning quality much in demand by film and media. I believe it will bring benefits, not least as Bradford is already well-established as a film location over many years. Perhaps not many people know that even Monty Python made a guest appearance here and once filmed at Valley Parade.

“I’m sure the City board will be looking at ways in which we can become involved in this project.

“Hopefully, gaining this accolade will bring wider benefits and enable others to regard Bradford differently and more positively.”

A number of companies have already cashed in on the glitter of the cinema. The Early Music Centre at Saltaire made a set of 12th century instruments for Kingdom Of Heaven, the film about the Crusades starring Orlando Bloom, and more recently supplied lutes and other instruments for the Tudor blockbuster The Other Boleyn Girl.

Texere Yarns, based in College Mill, Barkerend Road, is also no stranger to providing props to producers, including silk yarn for the film Elizabeth.

Peg Alexander, City of Film director, has no doubt that the City of Film could have major economic advantages for Bradford, and wants businesses to get on board.

She said: “I think the opportunities are enormous. It’s a blank page which I hope businesses will take advantage of.

“Our four key themes are enjoy film, make film, learn about and through film, and visit because of film.

“Each of these has some business connections and in some way or other can provide opportunities for creative firms and the wider business community to benefit commercially, or use City of Film as a motivator and benefit from the fact that Bradford is better placed to sell itself.”

The final word goes to the leading Bradford-born film director Steve Abbott, who chairs the City of Film board.

“I have lived in London and Los Angeles for many years because that’s where the work is.

“I hope that one of the benefits of Bradford City of Film will be that others who want to pursue a creative career won’t have to leave their roots behind. I remain passionate about Bradford and believe the City of Film status is fantastic for the city, for the community and hopefully for the economy.

“Neil Gaydon and Pace have led the way in showing how business can be supportive and involved and I hope others also see the opportunities and get involved, both for their own benefit and to help put Bradford on the map in a positive way,” said Steve.