Character Area 2 – Creative Quarter

Expansion of the existing creatives and maker’s businesses to create a new creative quarter within Shipley which will be supported by new housing, making the most of Shipley’s waterside assets.

The proposed interventions in the Character Area include: 

• Encouraging Creatives, Makers and Innovation - providing a focus and incubator for new ‘green’ and innovative technologies and creative industries.  Repurposing existing buildings will be encouraged for new creative start-ups, making the most of Bradford’s City of Culture 2025.    
• Residential Waterside Living – introducing additional housing through sensitive conversion of existing heritage buildings, accompanied by new build development which is sympathetic to the historic character. 
• Promoting thriving independents – This area already has a cluster of thriving independent hospitality and leisure businesses, including Waterside Bistro and Tapas Tree which add to the leisure offer and support the town’s evening economy.  Similar food & beverage uses will be encouraged to locate in this area as well as the retail core, to broaden Shipley’s leisure and family-friendly offer.  
• Road corridors activated and environmentally improved - Redeveloping poorly used and vacant sites with active ground floor uses (e.g. food & beverage uses, retail, leisure, serviced office space) along the Saltaire/Leeds Road and Otley Road corridors to improve the sense of arrival, public realm and safety.   

The proposed interventions as set out are indicative only. There is no funding commitment at this stage to deliver the vision. If the proposals are supported by stakeholders, a more detailed delivery plan would be considered as funding opportunities arise.