BRADFORD at Night, which supports businesses in the city, is set to launch a new strategy when it hosts the Best Bar None Awards later this month.

The organisation, which has supported the city’s night-time economy since its launch in 2020, now includes three newly-appointed directors, Tom Walling, Kevin Dean, and Graham Sweeney, alongside new managing director Elizabeth Murphy.

“This year the Best Bar None Awards is more of an important event for us this year,” said Mr Walling.

“As an organisation, it’s significant for us because at it we’ll be launching our new ethos.

“We’ve had a significant uptake from accredited Bradford at Night venues.”

Mr Walling said the Bradford at Night’s influence is growing and the organisation now has 40 members.

“We’ve really strengthened the network and community spirit,” he said.

“Essentially many members are high street competitors working together. They support each other in a way we haven’t seen before.”

Mr Walling said that Bradford at Night will be launching a new strategy at the Best Bar None Awards on February 29.

“Bradford At Night is moving into quite a different direction,” he said.

“Originally, it was a network to support the night-time economy. But we’re introducing some new members that don’t necessarily open at 5pm.”

He also noted the importance of what the City of Culture 2025 means to Bradford.

“There will be an in-depth audit looking at the city centre. Our team is ready to support that project. Our focus and spotlight will always be Bradford and showcasing what it has to offer.”

Highlighting Bradford at Night’s new strategy – along with handing out 15 awards – will be the focus of the Best Bar None Awards evening at the Midland Hotel in Bradford on February 29.

Mr Walling said Bradford at Night received 3,000 nominations for the 15 awards, including the Stephanie Sexton Award, in one week.

He said: “Steph was a colleague of mine who sadly passed away in May last year. We really wanted an award to dedicate to her.

“Quite a few people were taken aback by the news of her passing. She worked at the University of Bradford and brought student bars into Bradford at Night.

“And she supported other venues and helped to achieve the Best Bar None Awards.”

There are a total of 22 awards up for grabs on the evening.