Bradford is on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors. It is here that the Bronte sisters were born and grew up.
Bradford was once the woollen centre of the world but as the textile trade began to decline other industries took over such as engineering, chemicals, I.T. and financial services.
Bradford is noted for some fine Victorian buildings some of which are being regenerated such as the Wool Exchange and Manningham Mills.
There is a high percentage of Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in Bradford and this is reflected in the shops and restaurants.
There are plans to redevelop a great deal of the city to include a park and lake in front the City Hall.
Little Germany, a district of Bradford city, has been redeveloped and now has offices and residential property.
The Salt Mill has now high tech companies, design shops and galleries on the premises.
Bradford is a University city founded in 1965 so the nightlife is good with plenty of clubs, pubs and restaurants. It is well known for its curry houses and serves some of the best curries outside Asia. The West End district was a quiet area but with clubs and pubs opening up it has now become crowded and alive at night.
Some of the big employers in Bradford include the Yorkshire Building Society, Bradford and Bingley, Abbey, Morrison’s Supermarkets, Gratton Mail Order Pace Micro, Filtronic and CIBA Chemicals.
Bradford holds many festivals throughout the year the main one being the Bradford Film Festival held in March, and in June both the Bradford Festival and Bradford Mela, the largest of its kind other than in Asia.
Bradford has good road links with the M606 connecting to the M62. It has two railway stations, Forster Square and Bradford Interchange. Leeds Bradford International Airport is close by with scheduled and charter flights to mainland Europe and some further afield.
There is always property for rent in Bradford with prices around £250 - £400pcm for a l bed flat, £425 - £475 for a 2 bed flat or 2 bed house.
There are four theatres in the city, Alhambra, The Studio, Theatre in the Mill and the Priestley offering diverse entertainment.
Bradford Cathedral is in the heart of the city. In 1987, because of the growing number of visitors, the Victorian pews were removed and replaced by chairs and a Bradford Computer Organ was installed giving more light and room. Local residents embroidered the hassocks.
The 1853 Gallery has the world’s largest collection of works by David Hockney who was born in Bradford.
The National Museum Photography is a very popular attraction with plenty of activities in which to take part. People can film themselves in a bedroom scene or try being a newsreader. Favourite programmes can be watched or sit and view a documentary or a nature film. In fact there is plenty to keep everybody amused.
The SDC Colour Museum is run by the Society of Dyers and Colourists and tells the storey of the wool dyeing trade. It is a definitely worth a visit.
Bradford Industrial Museum has exhibits of steam engines and transport. How about having a horse drawn tram ride round the car park. There is also a look into a Spinning Mill at the time of the Industrial Revolution.
There are many shops and stores in Bradford these include Asian stores selling sari’s, jewellery and highly coloured and adorned fabrics. Other shops to be found include River Island, Bombay Stores, Bank House Trading, Bingley antiques, Marks and Spencer and Next along with several other stores and independent shops.
The Bronte Weaving Shed is said to be a great place to shop for all the family.
There are lots of markets throughout the city but the Bradford Local Produce Market only sells goods locally produced such as fish, meat and cheeses.
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