BRADFORD Council has tried to entice businesses to move into the city centre from bustling areas like Leeds Road - but many feel like they are doing well enough where they are.

During a Bradford Council discussion on how to regenerate Bradford city centre, officers were asked if they were looking into replicating the success of areas like Leeds Road and White Abbey Road.

The Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee had heard that the Council had offered support to help new businesses open in empty units in the city centre.

But more work was still needed to boost the night time economy, including attracting more restaurants, as activity in the city drops off dramatically after shops and cafes shut.

However, some areas of Bradford are thriving at night.

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Leeds Road is home to a huge number of restaurants, dessert parlours and late night cafes, attracting large crowds well into the evening and throughout the week.

Similarly White Abbey Road in Manningham has a vibrant evening economy.

At the meeting Councillor Nussrat Mohammed (Lab Heaton) pointed out that these areas attracted people from far beyond Bradford, with many of the visitors from the Asian community.

She asked what could be done to attract businesses from these areas, and the visitors they attract, into the city centre.

Cllr Mohammed said: "Places like Leeds Road attract people from all over, from places like Wakefield and Halifax, but they only go to Leeds Road.

"People come to Leeds Road or White Abbey Road, but they don't necessarily come to the city centre.

"Are we looking at ways of getting a greater community cohesion in the city centre. It would be lovely to see that."

Shelagh O'Neill, Assistant Director - Economy and Development, said: "It would be great to see some of these businesses opening in the city centre, but when you speak to them they often say their business is already working very well where it is.

"We have invited businesses to come into the centre, but most feel they are successful enough where they are.

"There can be a bit of an investment risk if you are taking on a city centre building that might need a lot of work to make suitable for your business. Some buildings are not fit for purpose.

"We have to remove barriers that prevent people from taking on these buildings.

"We want a diverse offer and to see some of the success you see in areas like Leeds Road. It would be incredible to get some of that activity into the city centre.

"We're more than happy to speak to anyone who wants to move into the city centre."

She added: "It is about getting the right offer. We don't want to be the hen night capital of West Yorkshire.

"We want an offer where people feel safe. We need a good mix of food offers, alcohol offers, leisure activity. We need to look at what we have, what is coming in and what is missing."