Big, young and diverse, Bradford is home to over half a million people, vibrant communities, innovative businesses and institutions. It’s alive with energy, enterprise and goodwill and represents unrivalled potential, a growing pipeline of talent and exceptional quality of life at the heart of the north.

The district brings together city, suburbs and towns such as Keighley, Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley each with strong identities. Urban, bustling, streetwise, with award winning public realm, yet two-thirds rural with villages, beautiful landscapes, and open spaces on the doorstep.

Bradford has long welcomed people from across the world who have laid down roots creating a unique fusion of Yorkshire heritage and international influences where over 150 languages are spoken and earning Bradford’s place among leading intercultural cities.

Global connections are reflected in Bradford’s status as a top UK exporter while high business start-up rates signal a thriving culture of enterprise in a £11.6bn economy, the country’s tenth largest.

With 16,000 businesses generating a £30bn turnover, Bradford’s strengths include advanced manufacturing, chemicals, finance and automotive components. Strong growth factors saw it named Barclays’ best place to start a business.

A dynamic cultural sector is at the heart of Bradford’s vision for social and economic inclusion. The District has a proud cultural heritage and an eye-catching and fertile contemporary offer, with world class exponents of literature, film, music, art and cuisine.

A tradition of pioneering advances in science, industry and social reform, helps steer ambition. Bradford has more brilliance to come, aiming to be the UK’s leading location for clean growth with plans approved for the country’s biggest clean growth testbed, providing space for established business and start-ups. This builds on transformational projects encompassing grade A offices, a major performance venue, state of the art food market and modern city-centre living.

With ambitions matching its size and potential, Bradford is the number one levelling up opportunity.