Bradford 2025: Plans submitted for arts hub and theatre

A city centre building will be transformed into an arts and culture hub featuring a 200-seat theatre under plans submitted by organisers of Bradford 2025.

An application to redevelop the building, previously used for storage by Marks & Spencer for its adjacent department store, was submitted at the end of October

The Marks & Spencer store has already been demolished to make way for a street market due to open next year. Under the plans the ground floor of the former storage building will be fully refurbished with a 200-seat theatre created.

On the basement floor, a mezzanine level will be removed to create a single basement floor to create a small venue with capacity for between 200 and 250 people.

Similar to the basement, the first floor will be refurbished to include new lobbies with walls lined with exhibition boards suitable for display.

The second and third floors will be refurbished to create a general office as well as studio facilities.

“This building has been identified as one of the key sites that will be capable of delivering Bradford 2025’s ambitious programme throughout 2025 but also lead to a legacy of arts and culture for the years after,” the application states.

“The conversion of this building into a flexible arts and culture facility is vital to the success of Bradford 2025 as a whole.”

The application adds that, alongside the new street market, the scheme will “significantly contribute” to the on-going regeneration of this area of Bradford.

Submission of the planning application comes with less than two months to go until Bradford 2025 begins.

Last month organisers announced that young people will embark on 16-month placements with the City of Culture team as part of efforts to secure the legacy of the festival.