Arts hub transformation work begins

The 140-year-old building was originally a post office

Work has begun on a £7.5m refurbishment of a community arts centre ahead of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.

The Kala Sangam arts hub, based in St Peter's House in Little Germany, Bradford, will become Bradford Arts Centre from summer 2025.

The refurbishment includes a new 200 seat theatre, five dance studios and improve accessibility.

The building's reopening will be a "landmark moment" for the city, according to Kala Sangam.

Jas Athwal DL, chairman of Kala Sangam, said: “Bradford is desperately in need of more space to create and enjoy arts and culture, and this redevelopment will ensure our building is a more open, welcoming and inclusive venue that the whole district can enjoy."

A section of the building will also become the permanent home for BCB Radio.

The work, funded by Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sports and the National Lottery, is being carried out by York-based Simpson as main contractor.

The company has recently worked on other projects including work to York Art Gallery, Hull Maritime Museum and Durham Cathedral.

Andy Gattenby, from Simpson, said the project would "extensively reconfigure and upgrade the existing buildings facilities".

St Peter’s House, which is Grade II listed, was built as a Post Office in the 1880s, and was also home to a museum before Kala Sangam, a South Asian community arts centre, moved in during 2007.

Much of the centre’s space was based on upper floors of the building – limiting space and making access difficult for people with mobility problems.

The refurbishment of the building includes a new entrance, two new lifts and a dedicated Changing Places facility and will ensure the building is fully accessible for the first time in its 140-year history.

Kala Sangam said: “The building is scheduled to reopen as Bradford Arts Centre in Summer 2025, as a landmark moment in Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.”

During the work, Kala Sangam will be based at Bank House in central Bradford.