Travelodge guests know nowt about Bradford

An article praising Bradford's attractions has been published by The Guardian newspaper. Read the article here.















Bradford City Hall, which is shown illuminated, is praised in the article.

Historian calls for regeneration plan

Historian, Nigel Grizzard, has called for action to regenerate an estimated 50 derelict mills across Bradford. Supporting a campaign to map run-down sites across the district, Nigel Grizzard, of the Our Northern Mills group, said a plan needs to be mounted to tackle the issue of neglected buildings and land.

He said: “A number of derelict sites across the city are an absolute disgrace.

“When you drive round you have to wonder what the Council has been doing all these years.

“As for mills there are a tremendous number of mills across Bradford, and there are some shining examples of regeneration, such as Salts Mill and Victoria Mills.

“But other places like Conditioning House, Midland Mills, Harris Court Mill, the Goitside area, Sunbridge Road – there are mills all over Bradford that need regeneration but you have to start it. If you don’t we’ll never get there."

Conditioning House, a derelict mill in Bradford.

Shisha lounge repossessed

Bailiffs have sealed off Markaz shisha lounge in Bradford city centre. The bar-grill restaurant and smoking lounge in Centenary Square has been repossessed on behalf of its landlords, St Leonard Properties.

A notice was issued on its door saying the owners of Markaz and anyone linked to the business are banned from entering the premises. Expensive ornate carvings and tiled-decor, were still set for diners at the weekend. However, there was no trace of its managing director Syima Merali and there was no way of contacting her. It thought the establishment was also recently fined £10,000 by the City Council for flouting the smoking ban.

The repossessed shisha lounge.

Calls for tighter safety measures

Councillors want safety measures to be introduced on a major Bradford road after a pedestrian was killed in an horrific accident.

The 46-year-old victim, named locally as father-of-two John Harrison, was walking across Wakefield Road, East Bowling, when he was struck by an Audi S3 which then went out of control, crashing into safety barriers and catching fire on Sunday night. Police were last night continuing to question two men who were arrested shortly after the incident, which happened near a pedestrian crossing by Lorne Street. The pair, aged 25 and 18, who were travelling in the Audi, were being held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

Councillor Mohammed Jamil (Con, Bowling and Barkerend) said it was crucial that safety issues on the busy arterial route were addressed before anybody else was killed or hurt.

He said: “We don’t want more deaths and injuries as a result of this road not being given attention by this committee. Bradford East Area Committee needs to take this more seriously now and we would like to see this included in the next agenda.

“We have been telling them for quite a few years and this has been ignored.”

Councillor John Robertshaw (Con, Bowling and Barkerend) said: “The speed limits are not adhered to by many drivers because it’s a three-lane carriageway.

“Wakefield Road needs to be addressed, that is a big priority. For residents it’s a death trap."


















Section of Wakefield Road (A650) where tighter safety measures are wanted.