Bradford businesses urged to apply for "cafe culture" grants

Businesses in Bradford city centre will be able to apply for grants to help them introduce outdoor seating as part of a push to bring “cafe culture” to newly-pedestrianised streets.

It is hoped the grants will go hand in hand with the recent city centre works to turn parts of Bradford into a “smart European city, rather than any bland, homogenous high street”.

Bradford Council is piloting a grant scheme to provide grant assistance to visitor economy businesses, such as pubs, restaurants and cafes, in areas of the newly transformed city centre, to invest in outdoor furniture and equipment.

Businesses can apply for grants between £500 and £3,000 that will provide up to 90 per cent of the costs for buying tables, chairs, barriers, planters, signage and similar items.

Businesses that have set up outdoor seating areas since March will be able to apply retrospectively.

Announcing the grants scheme, a spokesman for Bradford Council said: “The grant will help businesses to expand their offer by utilising outside spaces for trading.

“The initial pilot scheme will focus on those streets most impacted by the recent Transforming Cities Fund works and where newly pedestrianised public realm provides opportunities to add vibrancy to the street scene through an increased ‘cafe culture’.”

In spring, it was announced that Bradford Council planned to create an outdoor seating area on Hall Ings, outside St George’s Hall, to expand the historic theatre’s bar offer.

City centre businesses including the Ginger Goose on Bridge Street and Exchange Craft Beer House on Market Street have already introduced outdoor seating to make the most of the new pedestrianised streets.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport said: “Following the completion of the transformational works in the city centre we welcome applications from businesses to introduce outdoor seating which will take advantage of the wonderful new pedestrianised areas.

“Our team have been visiting the local hospitality businesses in the eligible area to inform them of the grants and encourage them to consider expanding and use the new environment to increase trading.

“Anyone wanting to put outdoor seating facilities on the public highway such as chairs, tables, barriers,  menu boards, parasols and associated structures, needs to first seek approval by applying for an Outdoor Seating Licence.”

Much of the pedestrianised area was recently made a Heritage Action Zone by Historic England.