Joined up thinking urged over culture

A COUNCILLOR has urged more joined up thinking around the district’s culture strategy – pointing out that closing public toilets and Tourist Information Centres does not help entice visitors.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive, members approved a new 10-year cultural strategy.

The culture plan was due to launch later this month, but members were told that with the lifting of Covid restrictions looming, this launch has been put back to May.

One of the major goals of the plan is to support Bradford’s City of Culture bid for 2025.

Alex Croft, creative director at Kala Sangam, told members “This is an ambitious plan for culture across the district – it is not a plan that will sit in a drawer for 10 years.”

Nic Greenan, lead for cultural partnerships, said although the district had a strong cultural sector: “There is a long way to go to level up with other areas of the North, let alone the South.”

Shanaz Gulzar, the artist and TV presented fronting the City of Culture bid, said she was confident Bradford would win the bid.

She said the strategy would help with “rewriting misconceptions and myths about the district.”

Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservative opposition, represents the Worth Valley ward, which includes Haworth, the village most famous for being home to the Bronte sisters.

She welcomed the report, adding: “Culture is a part of all our lives.

“When making other decisions this is something the council needs to bear in mind.”