TRADERS HAIL T&A CAMPAIGN TO GET CITY CENTRE THRIVING

Stores across the city have given their overwhelming support to our Buy it in Bradford campaign.

The Telegraph & Argus yesterday launched a huge drive urging readers to continue to use the city centre as Bradford undergoes massive redevelopment.

The initiative has won the backing of major players in the city, including Bradford Council, Bradford Vision, and Bradford’s Chambers of Trade and Commerce.

Now both independent retailers and national chains in Bradford have urged shoppers to get behind our campaign and make the city centre a success story.

Argos’s Bradford store manager David Galloway said: “I think this is a fantastic idea, it is just what the city needs.

“People don’t realise just how much the city has changed over the last few years. We have stores like JJB and New Look here now and it is going to continue to improve.

“This campaign is a great idea and I urge everybody in the city to get behind it.”

The £300 million development,which is expected to be finished by the end of 2007, will comprise retail shops, offices, apartments and new parking at the bottom of the city.

Other shop staff believe seeing the demolition of concrete tower blocks to make way for the development has breathed new confidence into the city.

Natalie Vanham, the fashion brands account manager at Boots in Darley Street said: “For a long time there has been a lot of talk about this but now people are actually starting to see it happen there is a lot of excitement. It is exciting for us who work in the city centre.”

And staff at Boots are delighted to back the T&A’s campaign.

Natalie said: “This campaign is exactlywhatwe need. Bradford could become a lot busier but it is important that we attract the right kind of shops and get a good clientele using the city centre.” The campaign has also won the backing from some of the city centre’s independent retailers

John Greenwood, the managing director of Bradford Camera Exchange, in North Parade, said the city had many unique shops which could not be found elsewhere.

He said: “I welcome the campaign. It is always a good idea to promote the city centre. Bradford has a lot to offer and people can find everything they need if they came here.

“You would not find a shop like ours, an independent photographic dealer with our experience within travelling distance.

“And people can park here. It is not like Leeds where it is incredibly difficult to find a place to park and very expensive. At this end of Bradford we have a lot of free parking and it is possible to park on the street.”

Jeff Frankel, who runs Sydney’s Jewellers in Rawson Road, says the campaign has come at the right time for Bradford.

Mr Frankel, who is also the chairman of the Bradford Retail Action Group, said: “This campaign is exactly what the city needs to make sure people keep coming into the centre to use our shops and businesses while work on the Broadway takes place.”

“I commend all the businesses and everybody in the city centre to get behind this wonderful campaign which has been launched by the Telegraph & Argus. Our shop certainly will be.

e-mail: john.roberts@bradford.newsquest.co.uk