Café culture grants to encourage venues outdoors

A café culture grant scheme is to be extended after venues were given money to expand outdoors.

Under the pilot scheme, six businesses on Market Street, Bridge Street and Bank Street were given £18,000 to spend on outdoor furniture for use in pedestrianised areas.

Bradford Council has now announced it is extending the project for six months to allow other businesses to apply for grants.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said the use of outdoor space "was always part of the transformational works in the city centre."

The venues that took part in the pilot were The Exchange Craft Beer House, SAPA Supermarket, The Old Bank, The Ginger Goose, Tiffin Coffee and Lela's Café.

Other businesses on Market Street, Bank Street, Broadway, Bridge Street, Hall Ings or Tyrrel Street are now able to apply for grants of between £500 and £3,000 to buy items such as tables, chairs, planters and lighting.

However, the council said they must first seek approval by applying for an Outdoor Seating Licence from the authority before putting out seating facilities or associated structures.

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