Plan to use city landmark for new museums

Bradford Council is looking at ways of highlighting more of the imposing grade I listed landmark which dominates the heart of the city centre.

Creating a contemporary gallery space and introducing guided tours are among a raft of ideas under consideration.

A report outlining plans to open up parts of the building as a visitor attraction will be discussed at a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive Committee tomorrow.

Coun Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment, sport and sustainability, said: “Bradford City Hall is an imposing and beautiful grade I listed building situated in the heart of City Park and Centenary Square. Opening up City Hall will allow the community and visitors the opportunity to use and explore the building and its history.”

In May funding was approved for a feasibility study to be undertaken for the relocation of the Registrar’s Service from Manor Row to City Hall.

A report to be considered by councillors suggests there may be opportunities to use parts of City Hall for weddings, functions, conferences, galleries and a police museum.

Former police employees are seeking Lottery funding to create a police museum in the building and have already collated artefacts and archive material.

The report says the Under The Clock Project is working with Bradford University for the design and creation of police uniforms dating back to the 1800s which would be displayed in the museum and that proposals by the group could introduce a visitor attraction based around the historic police cells and magistrates’ court.

The museum in the original settings of 1894 to 1974 could include arrival though the main gates onto the cobbled street, leading to the charge desk, cells and the dock. And the existing police contact point in City Hall could also be retained within the historic building.

A City Hall museum, which would explore the history of Bradford, is also under consideration.

The council is looking at creating a space within City Hall where people can get married and celebrate the naming of a child as well as somewhere where people can register the birth of a child or grieve the death of a loved one.

Guided tours of the landmark could include the council chamber, silver collections and the Mayor’s chambers featuring the first electric fire installed in West Yorkshire.

Councillors will be asked to consider the creation of a Friends of City Hall group.

If approved it is hoped that the group will provide tours of the building and develop a volunteer training programme.

The report to be considered by councillors advises against doing nothing.

It says: “Maintaining the current position is an option. There are many issues that have been identified regarding the physical, logistical, financial and legal relationships of the building and occupiers. These are numerous and diverse but not unsolvable.

“However, the building is a symbol of the council’s democratic role and an important historical and architectural legacy which should be seen, not just on special occasions but as a beacon of the enterprise and ingenuity of the Bradford people.

“The democratic history of the city could be told through displays and by engaging with all parts of the community increased participation in the democratic process might be achieved.

“Furthermore the recent success of City Park as a visitor destination would be supported by an additional attraction which would increase dwell time and consequently economic benefit.”

Officers have been exploring ways of opening up public access to Bradford City Hall for a number of years. The plans have been met with enthusiasm from Yorkshire’s tourist bosses.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “These plans certainly look interesting. With the backing of the relevant people, this historic building becoming an attraction in its own right could potentially add to the already excellent tourism offer in Bradford.

“That area of the city centre is already home to the famous National Media Museum, historic Alhambra Theatre and the new City Park so any quality addition is likely to be seen as a positive move.”