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'Pedestrianisation means more people walking - that means more money' Bradford roadworks: Businesses respond to pedestrianisation
(8 days later)
Market Street is one of the main pedestrianised routes running through Bradford city centreMarket Street is one of the main pedestrianised routes running through Bradford city centre
Was it all worth it? That's what Bradford business owners are asking themselves as a £45m scheme to pedestrianise the city centre comes to an end. The project has been behind schedule and caused months of disruption. The BBC spoke to those most affected by the changes.Was it all worth it? That's what Bradford business owners are asking themselves as a £45m scheme to pedestrianise the city centre comes to an end. The project has been behind schedule and caused months of disruption. The BBC spoke to those most affected by the changes.
Richard Cullen from Bradford-based Tiffin Venue Management which is about to turn a former city centre bank into a 200-seater cafeRichard Cullen from Bradford-based Tiffin Venue Management which is about to turn a former city centre bank into a 200-seater cafe
Residents and businesses became used to noise, dust and diversions during work to improve access during the City of Culture year.Residents and businesses became used to noise, dust and diversions during work to improve access during the City of Culture year.
Although the majority of improvements have now been completed, Bradford Council said some parts of the centre remained unfinished, including the extension of the Norfolk Gardens park.Although the majority of improvements have now been completed, Bradford Council said some parts of the centre remained unfinished, including the extension of the Norfolk Gardens park.
Richard Cullen's company, Tiffin Venue Management, is currently converting the former NatWest bank in Hustlegate, which closed in 2017, into a 200-seater cafe.Richard Cullen's company, Tiffin Venue Management, is currently converting the former NatWest bank in Hustlegate, which closed in 2017, into a 200-seater cafe.
Mr Cullen said: "A lot of people weren't coming into the city centre any more.Mr Cullen said: "A lot of people weren't coming into the city centre any more.
"The bus routes were the biggest part because people didn't have access straight into the city centre."The bus routes were the biggest part because people didn't have access straight into the city centre.
"Obviously now that the pedestrianisation is almost finished we are seeing more and more people coming back into the city centre and things are picking back up again."Obviously now that the pedestrianisation is almost finished we are seeing more and more people coming back into the city centre and things are picking back up again.
"We're hoping that City of Culture does a lot for us as well and actually brings even more people back into the city centre.""We're hoping that City of Culture does a lot for us as well and actually brings even more people back into the city centre."
Heidi Grey has worked at Mario's Hairdressing in Market Street for 25 yearsHeidi Grey has worked at Mario's Hairdressing in Market Street for 25 years
Heidi Grey works at Mario's Hairdressers, which was established in 1952 and is based on Market Street, one of the busiest roads to be pedestrianised.Heidi Grey works at Mario's Hairdressers, which was established in 1952 and is based on Market Street, one of the busiest roads to be pedestrianised.
She has been with the family-run business for 25 years and is unimpressed with the closure of what was once a road full of cars and buses.She has been with the family-run business for 25 years and is unimpressed with the closure of what was once a road full of cars and buses.
Ms Grey said: "To be fair I don't get why we need plants and benches because they're just going to be full of rubbish.Ms Grey said: "To be fair I don't get why we need plants and benches because they're just going to be full of rubbish.
"I think they need to put up some pop-up shops or fill the empty buildings around to draw people in."I think they need to put up some pop-up shops or fill the empty buildings around to draw people in.
"I think the council should should've spent money on the shops instead of trees and plants.""I think the council should should've spent money on the shops instead of trees and plants."
She said passing trade had been badly affected by the roadworks.She said passing trade had been badly affected by the roadworks.
Ms Grey added: "It's still quite quiet with the passing trade.Ms Grey added: "It's still quite quiet with the passing trade.
"Hopefully once people are used to it and know the bus routes they'll come back into the centre.""Hopefully once people are used to it and know the bus routes they'll come back into the centre."
Ibrahim Eryatmaz has just opened his furniture shop on the one of the main pedestrianised streets in the city centreIbrahim Eryatmaz has just opened his furniture shop on the one of the main pedestrianised streets in the city centre
Ibrahim Eryatmaz has just opened his shop, Benim Furniture, on Market Street.Ibrahim Eryatmaz has just opened his shop, Benim Furniture, on Market Street.
He said much cheaper rent and help with business rates by Bradford Council had attracted him to the city.He said much cheaper rent and help with business rates by Bradford Council had attracted him to the city.
Mr Eryatmaz said: "I think Bradford Council has spent a lot of money on improving the streets.Mr Eryatmaz said: "I think Bradford Council has spent a lot of money on improving the streets.
"And also I believe that Bradford will be better this year and next year and the pedestrianised area is really going to help business."And also I believe that Bradford will be better this year and next year and the pedestrianised area is really going to help business.
"I knew this street before, it looks better now."I knew this street before, it looks better now.
"You have more people walking about and people for me, from a business side, means money.""You have more people walking about and people for me, from a business side, means money."
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Flowerbeds now sit on newly-laid pavements where traffic once flowed on market StreetFlowerbeds now sit on newly-laid pavements where traffic once flowed on market Street