'Right decision' to hold Bradford 2025 launch

The leader of Bradford Council has insisted that it was the "right" decision to hold the City of Culture launch event in sub-zero temperatures.

Susan Hinchcliffe was asked whether hosting the Rise ceremony in City Park was appropriate despite the pressure on council resources due to the cold weather.

Residents had suggested that gritting efforts were concentrated on the event's open-air venue rather than key roads and schools.

Speaking to the BBC on Monday, Hinchcliffe denied that other areas were deprioritised and said "in the end it worked out really well".

Around 20,000 people defied the weather to attend the performances on Friday and Saturday.

Hinchcliffe paid tribute to the gritting crews and other staff who worked to ensure the events went ahead, but said they were not deployed at the expense of other areas.

She said: "It's been a whole district effort to keep the district moving during difficult times.

"And then on top of that, we had a major international event here on Friday and Saturday night. In the end, it worked out really well."

She added: "There were more than 10,000 people here both nights. It was a great atmosphere, everybody coming together, enjoying, celebrating Bradford and looking forward to the year to come.

"Our council staff were out all over the district, shovelling snow, gritting.

"The gritters were out all the time, doing everything, doing pavements, gritting near schools and on roads."

Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of Bradford 2025, said the launch had been "buzzing" on both nights.

"We worked really really hard to ensure all equipment was defrosted. There were crews at hand with hairdryers!

"We knew we needed to roll up our sleeves and be prepared."

She added that there were plenty more events to come during the City of Culture year and opportunities for making "memories to last a lifetime".

The opening programme continues this week with the unveiling of new exhibition "David Hockney: Pieced Together" at the National Science and Media Museum.

Wednesday also brings underground superstars Asian Dub Foundation's sold-out show to St George's Hall, where they will recreate their acclaimed soundtrack to cult French film La Haine on the stage.

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