I live in Bradford

[Cybernetics]

My home town gets a lot of bad press but I am a proud Bradfordian, so ask me anything. I'm happy to discuss all the awful rumours that you've heard about this place 😊

I’m visiting Bradford for a few days in 2025. Will the bus station be sorted by then?

It was on Great Horton Road!

Waterstones is stunning.
The media museum closed for refurb but I think is reopening soon.
The fountains / mirror pool are great on a hot day, kids jumping about having fun.
Sunbridge Wells is very cool.
The Broadway centre is a huge improvement.
The Alhambra is a fab theatre.

There are some gorgeous old buildings.

But I do agree it’s generally a bit of a dump, lots of poverty, the outskirts of the city centre are grim, not clean, not cared for. And it’s bloody challenging to drive through.

Ahhh good old Bradistan. It's an absolute shithole in the centre let's be honest 🤣 There are some absolutely beautiful little villages on the outskirts. In my experience young, white women are not safe walking around by themselves there. Lots of racist comments and general creepiness from the men!

Makes you realise how non-whites must feel in areas where they’re the minority.

I'm not sure about every town, but it is definitely happening in Peterborough and Leicester. Exactly the same situation as Bradford.

I have been to Bradford once, 20 years ago, and I'd never visit again. Despite being with my dad I was harassed non stop, ranging from disgusting invitations to insults. My poor dad was horrified, and we left fairly swiftly.

I'm aware it's happening in other places in the UK. I have no doubt it's happening where I live. However we've currently got a corrupt council as well. It's not in every town in the UK though.

Saltaire, Bingley or Baildon?

I had my first ever curry at Omar’s when I was 18! Despite my mum being an incredible cook, she hated spicy food, and so I’d never tried Asian cuisine (or Chinese, come to that). My best friend started at Bradford Uni in 1990 and I jumped over the Pennines to see her one weekend and she took me to Omar’s where I promptly fell in love with the food. I’ll have a curry once a week even now, ate it every day on a 3 week trip to India but can’t eat Chinese though…

Bradford is ruined sadly

OMG, the giant naans at Omar's! 😉

Id forgotten the giant naans! it was brilliant there, amazing curry for like £2.30!

I haven't lived in Bradford for more than 20 years, but my brother is still there and still goes to Omar's!

Amazing its still there! I must go up and visit Bradford again, I bet its not £2.30 a curry anymore!

Bradford is OK.
I should do a Keighley version of AMA🤣

As a fellow keighlian, please do! 😩😩

@HalfasleepChrisintheMorning ⬆️⬆️

I live near Bradford and go there fairly often, with my young children, particularly to Waterstones. I have never felt unsafe in the city centre but I am middle aged so it might be different for young women. The ice rink is still there, and very 80s still, and the Alhambra is great. The driving is just...mind-boggling, and the transport links leave much to be desired.

I actually had to google that the mirror pool was the one I thought it was when you said this. I sat out there (as a lone woman in summer clothes) on almost every hot day this year, and it was a truly pleasant experience to see people from different races, religions and classes all enjoying the same space together. No harassment, no motor bikes, no horses (?!).

I’m not a fan on Bradford generally, but all I’ve seen of the city centre and Mirror Pool is a genuine example of how conviviality should be done.

Well this was the most pointless post ever!!

What's wrong with Halifax?!

Asking for a friend 😂

I'm going to ask a question! Bradford is famous for it's food. Which is the best curry house? My vote is downstairs at the Kashmir

That brings back memories. Isn't this the place where you don't get cutlery and you use chappatis to mop up your food? And there are washbasins in the restaurant so you can wash your hands before and afterwards?

There is another curry house that I can't remember the name of. It had formica tables, and I think Rick Stein ate there once on one of his road trips.

Another couple of favourite curry houses, but more upmarket, that we used to go to was the original Akbars on Leeds Road (the family naans were unbelievable) and the original Aagrah in Shipley. Both of these restaurants now have branches in other parts of Yorkshire now. I am happy to say that the food at Akbars in Rotherham is just as good and has a lot of Asian clientele.

We used to see bands and comedians at St George's Hall and musicals and opera at The Alhambra.

My satnav hates Bradford and gets confused at the road layout.

I used to live near Bradford, not in it BTW.

It's definitely the weirdest AMA,it's not an AMA atall.but it is a lovely chance to chat about all the great things about Bradford.

Menston, Guiseley, Otley.

Its difficult to get excited at the moment as it's just feels like endless roadworks. However, overall it is having a positive impact as the pedestrianisation of the town centre is beautifully done and will look and feel great once it's finished.

Shop numbers are dwindling in town. It's a real shame because parts of the town centre feel like a ghost town. I don't think that is unique to Bradford though. We still have the most stunning architecture and people have already mentioned Waterstones as well as the many other attractions centrally. I think the City of Culture will bring recognition and hopefully more investment for the area.

Did op come back