How Dan Bates, Executive Director at Bradford 2025, aims to leave a legacy of fun and civic pride

Dan Bates, the Executive Director at Bradford 2025, believes the year-long festivities can deliver long term economic benefits around the district. He wants to “reset perceptions” of Bradford.

"I would like people to see Bradford in a new light and focus on the opportunities ahead,’’ he said. “As an entrepreneurial city, there’s a chance for trailblazers to breakthrough and help put Bradford on the map for the right reasons. We want to see more businesses investing and starting up in Bradford. I think it would be a bit daft for businesses to not get involved and invest. You won’t find this hunger in any other city right now.”

Mr Bates was previously chief executive of Sheffield Theatres and he plans to draw on his expertise in developing world-class programmes for major cultural institutions as he finalises plans for Bradford 2025.

He said: “I’ve been described as Mr Yorkshire Theatre, having worked at theatres in Leeds, York and Sheffield.”

He moved to Yorkshire in 1987 to work at West Yorkshire Playhouse and stayed for 17 years. He rose through the ranks, after joining as stage manager when the company was led by Jude Kelly, its founding director.

Mr Bates recalled: “She was a leader who could detect a spark in people. I found her to be very straight-talking, open and determined to do the best for any organisation that she worked for. I rose to become executive director but never lost sight of the fact that it is people that makes an organisation successful. The thing I loved about the playhouse at that time is that it produced incredibly good work and was really embedded in the community.”

This commitment to community engagement will shape Bradford 2025, which aims to honour the district’s cultural heritage and support emerging talent.

"The external narrative of Bradford can make it hard for people to feel proud of the city and access opportunities that we see other cities taking advantage of,’’ said Mr Bates. “This is why the bid for UK City of Culture was so important to Bradford. It was about the cultural sector and the wider district being bold enough to step up and say, ‘we deserve this, and we’ll show you why’. Bradford 2025 is a district-wide project covering an area of 141 square miles.”

He hopes Bradford can emulate the success of Liverpool which received a shot in the arm from being chosen as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

“People are starting to look at Bradford differently,’’ said Mr Bates. “Cranes are on the skyline and big developments like Bradford Live are taking shape, with more businesses looking to relocate to Bradford. You can both see and feel the change within Bradford. It feels like a long time coming for some, especially those who lived in Bradford when it was thriving and the place to be a few decades ago, and I hope we will play a role in restoring pride in the city and district.”

“We are creating a really strong creative programme. We want to bring some of the best artists from all over the world to Bradford. We are creating opportunities for Bradford artists and creatives to work with and learn from international artists. There will be great surprises and a lot of fun.”

Bradford 2025 plans to use the entire district as a gallery and a stage, including some of the old mills, according to Mr Bates.

He added: “Bradford is our canvas and will include projects by, with and for locals, as well as attracting visitors from across Yorkshire and beyond.

“It’s estimated that the GVA (gross value added) for the local economy will be around £350m for our year as UK City of Culture.

“It will also provide everyone in the district with a greater understanding of the different perspectives of culture that co-exist alongside one another. A sense of fun and pride will be great things to leave as a legacy.

“We are looking for a team of almost 4,000 volunteers to work with us,’’ Mr Bates added. “ We are also looking at the potential for creative apprenticeships as well. We will be working with all 30 wards in Bradford and are creating a new venue that can move across the district, creating a space for events and activities in areas where there’s less access to traditional venues. We need people to join us on this journey and celebrate what Bradford has to offer.

"We want our children to look back with pride on this time and know that everyone in the district played their part, from making the events and performances or volunteering, to sharing the programme with others and attending events.

“The Government has provided £10m to support Bradford 2025 and we have also received just under £10m from the Arts Council England, and National Lottery Heritage Fund. The overall cost is indicative of the size of programme we’re creating as the first district-wide winner of the UK City of Culture bid, and within our plans we’re very much placing legacy at the heart of what we do to allow Bradford to reap the rewards of our activities long after 2025. Our goal is to launch the programme in the Autumn of 2024, well in advance, so visitors can plan their time in Bradford the following year. We want to put Bradford on the lips of the world.”