Halifax backs neighbouring Bradford's bid to host Great Exhibition of the North

Earlier this year Bradford Council announced it's intention to bid to host the Great Exhibition of the North, from left, Susan Hinchliffe (Leader of Bradford Council), Kersten England (Chief Executive of Bradford Council), Shelagh ONeill (Project Leader for the Bid Team and Clare Morrow (Former Chair of Welcome to Yorkshire). 27th May 2016. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Bradford is one of four places vying to be host a two-month event in the summer of 2018, along with Sheffield.

Now the backers of the Bradford bid have announced that it has the support of both Halifax and Cumbria.

Sam Mason, chair of the Halifax Business Improvement District and chief executive of The Piece Hall Trust, said on behalf of the Halifax bid team: “We are delighted to put our support behind our close Yorkshire neighbour Bradford and wish them the best of luck in this next stage of the bidding process to host the Great Exhibition of the North.

“We are excited by the diversity of participation and content, and the commitment behind their bid, and believe they will be able to host a fantastic exhibition.”

Celia MacKenzie, chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said on behalf of the Cumbria bid team: “As a young city, Bradford wants to show that it has a lot to offer, just like Cumbria has. The themes of Bradford’s bid - experience, enjoy, create, innovate, explore and inspire - resonate with the Cumbria’s and will promote recognition as a major player in the economy of the North...The Cumbria bid had the support from all of our MPs and all seven local authorities, Lake District National Park, Cumbria LEP and we now support and want to work with Bradford to widen the area that its outstanding exhibition will reach.”

This support has been welcomed by Bradford Council’s leader Coun Susan Hinchcliffe.

She said: “We are delighted to welcome the support of Cumbria and Halifax and believe that our bid can help to unite the North and deliver an excellent showcase for the art, culture, design and business talent that exists across our region.” The other finalists are Sheffield, Newcastle/Gateshead and Blackpool.