We’ve got to get manufacturing thriving again, says MP

The desolate 12-acre hole in the town centre where a gleaming Westfield shopping centre ought to be lies like a gaping wound in the heart of the city, a constant reminder of how far Bradford has fallen in recent times.

But there is a growing optimism that, having hit rock bottom, Bradford can see a way forward that will enable it to emerge as a thriving urban centre for the next generation.

While population growth forecasts have been cut, a high birth rate among the city’s large ethnic minority population means 
Bradford remains a fast-growing city.

The key for civic leaders will be to harness that workforce as Bradford pushes for a manufacturing-led revival.

“There’s been a loss of confidence, a loss of self esteem in Bradford since the recession of the 1980s,” said David Ward, the MP for Bradford East and
previously a councillor for 26 years.

“I’ve spent a lot of time speaking to people around Bradford and there is a sense now that we’ve got to grasp this thing for ourselves.

“We’ve got a lot of really good people in Bradford, a lot of very impressive businesses and we need to pull together.

“People need to understand the importance of manufacturing to Bradford. We’re all pinning our hopes on this damn shopping centre. Well, the shopping centre would happen overnight if we were a wealthier economy.

“That’s the answer for Bradford, we’ve got to get manufacturing thriving again.”

Whether Westfield sells the site or pushes ahead with its revamped development, city leaders insist the wasteland will not become a permanent fixture of city life.

But more importantly, through the Government’s historic ‘City Deal’ and the new local enterprise partnership, Bradford’s council and its leading businesses are working more closely than ever before with their counterparts in Leeds and across West Yorkshire to target investment in transport, training for young people and infrastructure where it is most needed.

Rail links with neighbouring cities will be radically improved, and a new apprenticeship hub established to help young people into work.

Mr Ward insists the Bradford of 2035 will be a very different place.

“The regeneration of the city centre will be complete and we will be winning back shoppers who have been going to Halifax, to Leeds,” he said.

“We will be capitalising on our young and growing population and the work being done now on NEETS (young people not in employment, education or training) means we will finally get to grips with the endemic problems of youth unemployment.”