Plan to create 'artisan food court' on outskirts of Bradford city centre

The application to transform the site off Sunbridge Road says the new food venue would focus on “quality, diversity, and healthier options,” and also allow local artists to display their works.

The site, accessed off Oxley Street, is currently vacant and of “poor visual quality” – according to the plans by Shayaan Khan.

The plan is to redevelop the land to allow six street food vendors to set up shop in a new courtyard with a central seating area.

The site would open between 8am and 10pm, and create seven full time jobs. A neighbouring site would provide parking spaces.

The planning application says the works will “form a small artisan food & beverage offering with opportunities for art installations and exhibitions for students at Bradford College.

“This prominent location will comprise several food vendor trucks, associated preparation trailers, customer seating, on-site parking and landscape enhancements. The proposal has been prepared on behalf of Shayaan Khan to bring an unused, visually poor site into active use.

“To support local enterprises, and create a high-quality, well-managed food destination in a prominent location near Bradford College and the city centre.”

The site backs onto the junction of Sunbridge Road and Woodlands Street.

The application says the development will “transform an underused, visually poor site into an attractive, active frontage and gateway space.

“It will provide a curated mix of artisan food and beverage offerings with a strong emphasis on quality, diversity, and healthier options.

“Alongside the food offer, the scheme intentionally reserves part of the site as a flexible exhibition platform for Bradford College students and other local creatives, enabling regular display of artwork, design proposals and temporary installations that respond to the site’s gateway status and the wider city centre context.

“This curated exhibition space will help weave the project into the everyday life of students and staff, encouraging them to test ideas that could enhance the streetscape and contributing to Bradford’s city of culture/art show ambitions by showcasing local talent in a highly visible location.

“The menu design and marketing will actively promote healthier alternatives (e.g. grilled rather than fried options, fresh produce fruit juices & vegetarian choices), ensuring that the development supports, rather than undermines, the Council’s healthy eating agenda.”

Oxley Street is currently used for vehicle storage, with several badly damaged cars parked on the short road.

A decision on the application is expected next month.