Drop-in sessions to advise on city heritage grants

Building owners in the centre of Bradford have been asked to attend drop-in sessions to learn more about grants available for historic properties.

The district council said the invitation applied to owners, landlords and long-term tenants of properties in Bradford's Herigate Action Zone (HAZ).

It is situated in the historic centre of the city and includes Bradford's City Hall, and was established with £2m in funding from Historic England in 2024.

The priority area for property grants is shop fronts on Ivegate, but the team are still keen to speak to other businesses and owners in the area.

The property grant scheme seeks to unlock investment in historic buildings, enhance the streetscape and support the local economy and community.

Funding is available for the reinstatement of traditional shop fronts, as well as restoration and repair work to roofs, façades, brickwork and architectural features.

This may also include architectural investigations and design work for individual schemes.

The council said the city's HAZ officer would be at the shop unit in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, which can be accessed from the corner of Darley Street and Kirkgate, on Tuesday from 09:30 to 12:30 GMT and on Thursday between 12:30 and 15:30 GMT.

They will be joined by representatives of Historic England and officers from the council's Conservation Team and Business Advice Team.

Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport said it was an opportunity for building owners and landlords to find out what support was available.

Si Cunningham, chair of Bradford's Heritage Action Zone Board, said there had been a lot of "support and enthusiasm" for the HAZ, which he said would provide "a great boost for the city's famously grand old buildings".

"Now is the time for businesses to get involved and find out more about how the scheme could benefit them."

The council is planning to hold further sessions in the new year for those unable to attend the December drop-ins.

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