BECOMING City of Culture 2025 will put Bradford on the national and international map, say civic, business, cultural and community leaders in the district.

Today the Telegraph & Argus celebrates Bradford winning the prestigious title with a special pull-out in the newspaper.

In it Kirsten Branston, senior programme manager at Bradford Live, which is transforming the former Odeon building in the city centre into a 4,000-seat entertainment venue, says: “We were in City Park for the announcement. There was an electric atmosphere and everybody was so excited. It’s a fantastic thing for Bradford.

“When we started on this journey with Bradford Live in 2012, one of the drivers was regeneration in the city, and for people to look again and visit Bradford. Having the completion of our building before City of Culture is perfect timing. It’s going to put Bradford on the map. Bradford has a huge amount to offer, and untapped potential. This will help make Bradford a place to visit. Everybody in Bradford can work together as there are over 1,000 events programmed in as part of the City of Culture.”

Bradford MPs welcomed the district’s City of Culture triumph: Bradford West MP Naz Shah said she was “so proud”. In a video message on Twitter she said: “Bradford is for me the definition of a city full of culture and with this title we can now show the country what Bradford has to offer. A city full of youth, 120 languages, cuisines from around the world, a history full of arts, its own literature festival, and a city with an open heart and sanctuary to so many. It’s now Bradford’s time to shine.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins also took to Twitter: “We’ve only gone and done it! #CityofCulture2025. What a result! The bid has brought our city together and will be a springboard for cultural and economic regeneration in Bradford! This is Our Time and Our Place #Bradford2025.”

“Bradford is beautiful, Bradford is brilliant, and Bradford is the now the #UKCityofCulture2025!” was the tweet from Bradford East MP Imran Hussain, who added: “There really is no better place, and I’m beyond delighted that the Minister agrees with me.”

Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore tweeted: “District of Culture’ is coming to Keighley and Ilkley! Today’s result is testament to the hard work of so many across our community. This is great news for the whole of our area and will be an awesome economic boost.”

Shipley MP Philip Davies said: “Across our district we have a lot to offer culturally, and I hope being named City of Culture will give confidence and pride and bring economic benefit with new investment, new jobs created and an influx of visitors - in turn creating an economic boost for the district.”

BAME Business Committee chair Nasreen Karim said: “I am immensely proud of the city. We knew we were a bright, diverse, hardworking, young city with so much to offer and now the rest of the country knows.

“As a representative of the business community in Bradford and as Chair of the BAME Business Committee (part of West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce) I want to say that we have a rich mixture of extremely successful businesses in the area and we’re looking forward to putting all our energy into the next phase, which is delivery.”

Bradford City of Film director David Wilson was contacted by UNESCO following Bradford’s win. He said: “I was in France when the decision came through, my phone was buzzing from colleagues in other UNESCO Creative Cities, and from UNESCO, saying congratulations to Bradford and how well deserved the title is. For people like me who’ve worked in creative industries most of my working life, I know full well that Bradford has a rich, vibrant and diverse cultural sector. The UK City of Culture title provides us with an opportunity to share all the great things about Bradford with the wider world and inspire and empower a new generation of creative leaders and businesses.”

Bradford Chamber of Commerce president Victoria Wainwright said: “This is brilliant news for Bradford and testament to the collaboration between communities, business and local government not just across the district but across West Yorkshire. All credit to the Bradford 2025 team. The boost to the economy will be significant and the opportunity to inspire current and future generations should be grasped. The Chamber looks forward to playing our role in the lead up to 2025.”

Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford and Leader of the Green Party group at Bradford Council Matt Edwards said: “2025 will a year for us to showcase our people and culture in every corner of the district, from Holme Wood and Bierley to Ilkley, Silsden,Queensbury and Thornton to Shipley and Bingley. This is truly our time.”

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the Bradford district will be the UK’s City of Culture in 2025. The entire year will be a fitting showcase for the incredible cultural and artistic talent in this district.”

David Potts, CEO of Morrisons, a founding partner of Bradford 2025, said: “We re thrilled the district has won the title. Morrisons is rooted in Bradford and we’re proud to have supported this bid from the outset.”

Syima Aslam, director of Bradford Literature Festival, said: “The sheer joy and excitement at being awarded City of Culture is difficult to encapsulate. Congratulations must go to the entire district and the amazing team at Bradford 2025 for creating a winning bid - it was, without doubt, the best on the table.

“The creativity that will pour out of Bradford will be unique, and the effects will be felt across the cultural landscape of the UK and the regional economy. This truly is our time, our place. “We at BLT look forward to continuing to showcase Bradford as the literature Hub of the North.”

Kala Sangam Creative Director Alex Croft said: “This will be transformational for Bradford. As Chair of Bradford’s Cultural Voice Forum I’ve seen how engaged communities and the cultural sector have been in the bid coming together - it really was the people of Bradford, their ideas, drive and passion that won it!”

Lisa Mallaghan, Project Director at Bradford Producing Hub, said: “In 2019 Bradford became one of two UK locations funded by Arts Council England to pilot a Performing Arts Hub - the scheme looked for projects aimed at ‘strengthening talent development and production capacity outside London’. A Consortium application led to Bradford Producing Hub, which has provided over £250,000 of direct funding for local arts projects and productions, and enabled thousands of individuals to access training and development. BPH has been a major element in ensuring Bradford’s success applying to be City of Culture; proving the existing talent, demand and potential of Bradford’s performing arts sector, and most importantly, playing a key role in ensuring the sector will be ready to make the most of an amazing year of culture, with a deep and lasting impact and legacy for Bradford.”