“POSITIVE discussions” are continuing with prospective tenants for One City Park in Bradford, according to the Council.

One City Park – which was officially completed in December 2023 – is an office block on the edge of City Park.

The development has mostly been funded by Bradford Council, which has so far contributed £25.2 million, with the Government pumping £7.5m into the scheme.

Currently, just one company is based at One City Park, which sits half empty.

Last September, the T&A reported that accounting giant Price Waterhouse Cooper (PwC) had moved around 200 staff from its existing office on Godwin Street to One City Park. The company said last year it planned to eventually recruit another 300 employees who will be based at One City Park.

This week, the Telegraph & Argus contacted Bradford Council with a number of questions regarding One City Park for Councillor Alex-Ross Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport.

The questions included:

• How many other prospective tenants for One City Park are currently in negotiation with the Council?
• Can Cllr Ross-Shaw assure T&A readers that more tenants will move into the building by the end of this year?
• When does Cllr Ross-Shaw hope One City Park will be fully let?
• A number of T&A readers often contact us to describe it as – for example – “a failed venture which still hasn’t properly got off the ground and probably never will”, “a waste of my hard-earned money”, “a white elephant”. How does Cllr Ross-Shaw respond to comments like that?

A Bradford Council press officer responded.

Their statement said: “We’re delighted PwC are in One City Park and growing their workforce in Bradford.

“Occupancy of the building so far is in line with the business plan.

“New commercial buildings often take a bit of time to let and One City Park is no different in that regard.

“We continue to have positive discussions with potential tenants but as you would expect there is a limit to how much we can say while it is still commercially sensitive.

“When we are able to provide a more detailed update we will do so.

“Bradford’s regeneration is gathering pace with Darley Street Market opening and Bradford Live and our public realm works winning awards, and One City Park is a vital part of that programme.”

Earlier this year, using the Freedom of Information Act, the T&A asked the Council how much money it had so far made in rental income from One City Park.

However, the Council declined to provide this information to the public, saying releasing it “could materially prejudice a party’s commercial and financial interests”.