Arts hub plan for derelict city centre building
The £2m project would see the Grade II listed building restored
- Published
Plans to bring a long-empty building in central Bradford back to life as a new arts and business hub have been unveiled.
Grade II listed 30 Chapel Street, in the city's historic Little Germany quarter, has been vacant for about 20 years.
The former warehouse and office building was also partly damaged in a fire in 2014.
The Impact Hub, an international organisation, now plans to turn it into a “vibrant hub for the arts, digital and social enterprise”.
The plans include a workshop, an events space for up to 63 people and a cafe, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
There would be office and co-working spaces aimed at the arts, digital and social enterprise sectors.
Plans also suggest a large mural could be painted on the side of the Victorian building.
The group’s planning application said the work was expected to cost about £2m.
Damaged parts of the building's interior would be stripped out or repaired, it said.
Once it was completed around 50 people could be based in the hub.
The building dates back to the 1870s, and is notable for a series of carved stone faces above the ground floor windows. It was given a Grade II listing in 1983.
Referring to the area, a heritage report included with the application said: “The architecture of Little Germany is probably the most impressive merchant quarter in Yorkshire.
“Little Germany is home to a mixture of residential accommodation and businesses, however, there is still a requirement for continued development to allow the area to reach its full potential.”
A planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council, with a decision expected next month.
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