Bradford business owners grapple with the impact of the city center's pedestrianization scheme, questioning its effectiveness amidst delays and ongoing disruptions.
Bradford business owners are questioning if the £45 million scheme to pedestrianize the city center was worth the disruption it caused. The project, which has been plagued by delays and months of construction, is finally nearing completion. Although the majority of improvements have been implemented, Bradford Council acknowledges that some areas, including the extension of Norfolk Gardens park, remain unfinished.
The BBC spoke to several business owners who have been directly impacted by the changes. Richard Cullen from Tiffin Venue Management, a company that is converting a former NatWest bank into a 200-seater cafe, noted that the altered bus routes were the most significant challenge, as they limited access to the city center. He expressed optimism that the pedestrianization, coupled with the City of Culture year, would revitalize the city center and attract more visitors. Heidi Grey, a long-time employee at Mario's Hairdressers on Market Street, one of the busiest roads affected by the pedestrianization, expressed disappointment with the changes. She feels the council should have prioritized improvements to the shops instead of focusing on plants and benches, which she believes will only become receptacles for trash. She also noted that pedestrian traffic remains subdued. Ibrahim Eryatmaz, a recent furniture store owner on a main pedestrianised street, believes the pedestrianization will ultimately benefit businesses. He cited the lower rent and business rate assistance offered by Bradford Council as key factors in his decision to open a shop in the city. He expressed confidence that Bradford will experience growth in the coming years, and the pedestrianised area will play a vital role in this progress
PEDESTRIANIZATION CITY CENTER BUSINESS OWNERS BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE
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