Bradford is set for an ambitious project to boost the regional economy and create tens of thousands of new jobs. By the year 2030 the plans aim to increase the city’s economy by 40% to a total of £14bn, whilst it envisages creating 20,000 new jobs.

Bradford is central to the regional economy of the district and it’ll form a huge part of the West Yorkshire Economic Development Plans Conference to be held in September.

The plans have been announced by the Bradford Economic Partnership – recently rebranded from Bradford’s Producer City Initiative – which is set to build on the great work already achieved in Broadway and City Park. The aim is to see Bradford ‘reposition itself in the global economy’ and ‘propel the city’s products and innovations around the world’.

The strategy highlighted several key areas across the area such as the 6.8-hectare site of the soon to close Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Odsal – which will be the focus of a ‘significant retail development’. Also promised in the plans would be a development at the former Tyrls Police Station site, with new office space set to be developed.

David Baldwin, Chair of the Bradford Economic Partnership (BEP), said of the scheme: ”This is a young city and we want to capitalise on that fact. Businesses say they have the capacity for expansion but do not have the work force. We aim to continue working with the university, colleges, schools and more to create that workforce.”

The collaboration between the BEP and education institutions is highlighted in the plans, with the vision of getting 48,000 more people qualified to NVQ level three.

The Bradford Economic Partnership wants Bradford to be the fastest growing economy over the coming decade and wants the city to become the most productive of any city in the Northern Powerhouse – whilst increasing population to 565,000 by 2030.

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said that it ‘was a big day’ for Bradford which would lead the district ‘into a new era of prosperity and growth’.

Join in the Bradford economic discussion at the West Yorkshire Economic Growth Conference later this year.