Bradford took pride of place in the national, and international, spotlight during 2025 – but now the real work begins. Here Graham Sweeney, Managing Partner at leading commercial law firm Schofield Sweeney, looks at what the future holds for the city and why Bradford businesses need to pull together to make it happen.
2025 was quite the year for Bradford. During its reign as the UK City of Culture we saw a host of cultural and arts events and a raft of significant project openings, infrastructure upgrades and urban transformations.
The city’s moment in the spotlight restored pride and positivity for many, and optimism for the future became much more prevalent. Of course, there are people that believe the spotlight has dimmed as we move into 2026, but for the rest of us, who regard the City of Culture to be the catalyst for sustained change and improvement, the work is just beginning.
Schofield Sweeney was built in Bradford in 1998 and we are very proud of our roots. Over the years people have asked us why we have stayed in the city and the answer is simple, this is our home and we believe the future is bright.
Looking back at the last 12 months it was fantastic to see landmark projects, long in the making (and long-delayed in some cases), finally coming to fruition. The much anticipated opening of Bradford Live which is now attracting high-profile acts from the world of entertainment and music; the refurbishment of Kala Sangam’s Grade II-listed St Peter’s House, now known as Bradford Arts Centre; and the new Darley Street Market, which saw the demolition of a neglected city centre area to create a stunning modern market venue and pave the way for the creation of the City Village, a transformative development that will create a sustainable neighbourhood in the heart of the city.
All of these projects are playing a part in attracting people back into the city centre – not only Bradfordians but visitors from across West Yorkshire and beyond. And when they arrive, they see the much improved public realm, thanks to the Transforming Cities Project, with attractive urban greening and the pedestrianisation of previously traffic clogged areas.
The city is reaping the benefits – in the first half of 2025 it was reported that Bradford’s economic growth was outpacing the rest of the UK and that house prices were growing at triple the average UK rate, and there was strong appetite for investment, with schemes to convert offices, left empty post-Covid, into residential properties, and big firms including Modine, Seabrook Crisps, Northern Rail and Delifresh reinvesting in the city.
But we can’t rest on our laurels. We were privileged to be one of the first businesses to host a networking event in the ballroom at Bradford Live – with more than 200 guests from professional services, manufacturing, retail, financial and real estate businesses, joining representatives from charities, education, leisure and local dignitaries. These sort of events are key if the city is to attract significant investment and more prominent businesses and employers.
While there have been recent disappointing updates with regards the timeframe for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit tram system, it seems plans for the new through station in Bradford are moving closer, something which will play a huge role in improving connectivity and therefore attracting outside investment.
Bradford City Village is a keystone project that supports the city’s vision for sustainable growth. Work is already underway on upper Darley Street to create an Active Travel route between the new Darley Street Market and the still vibrant North Parade, and demolition work around John Street and Kirkgate is imminent. The City Village will have a lasting influence – melding the city centre to enable people to live, work and socialise in a vibrant Bradford, as they do in cities like Leeds and Manchester.
There is already a strong business community in the city and now is the time build it further and be the conduit for growth and collaboration, and to keep Bradford on everyone’s lips beyond City of Culture.
