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As Bradford begins its year as UK City of Culture, it is not just trying to show a different face to the rest of the country – it’s also hoping to win over doubters in the city. One of the first productions is a radio play written by broadcaster Nick Ahad, and its theme is Bradford’s battered reputation.
The working title for this play was ‘Bradford, City of Culture?!’ because we knew that’s what the reaction would be when people found out we would be the City of Culture for 2025, he explains. Ahad eventually settled on the excellent title Bilal and Ted’s Bradfordian Adventure, and it’s on BBC Sounds. One of the actors is Seeta Wrightson, a comedian from the city.
I think it’s really unfairly got a bad rep. And I think that’s because in the news or on social media, people don’t want to talk about good things.
The headlines about Bradford are often brutal. In recent months, news stories have declared it Britain’s gloomiest city (because it has the least sunshine) and the second most miserable place to live.
Type the words ‘Why is Bradford so…?’ into a search engine and see what happens. The odds are you will probably get the following autofill options – ‘bad’, ‘dangerous’ and ‘poor’.
City of Culture has for many become a moment to look beyond the problems and champion what’s growing out of its diversity.
Natalie Davies, an actor and writer from Bradford, is creating a play about the city’s nightlife.
The stigma that’s been attached for years is old now, and that’s not what Bradford is. I’m very lucky. I’ve worked in television, I’ve worked in film, I’ve worked in theatre and radio, and every time I go on to a set, I always champion Bradford. This is actually a great place, and the thing about it is anybody from anywhere could come to Bradford and feel like they belong and we hold that. People come and completely feel welcomed. It’s beautiful.
Of course, no two people ever seem to agree as to where you can get the best curry, but perhaps one of the best known restaurants is Akbar’s, famous for the creation of the giant hanging naan.
People have tried. None have succeeded, says Samad Iqbal, who started working at Akbar’s aged 15 and is a proud ambassador for a city that describes itself as the Capital of Curry.
It appears Bradford 2025 has already begun to have an effect. It has, says Dr Sullivan, encouraged people to talk positively about the city.
In the last couple of years we have seen a change. I am speaking from opinion here now rather than research, but I think we have seen a shift towards civic pride, and I think the catalyst for that really coming to fruition will be Bradford 2025.
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