History of Bradford

‘Broad Ford’, later known as Bradford, was first settled in Saxon times and by the Middle Ages had become a small town centred on Kirkgate, Westgate and Ivegate.

In the 19th Century, Bradford was a small market town of 16,000 people, wool spinning and cloth weaving was done in local cottages and farms.

It was estimated that two-thirds of the country’s wool production was handled in Bradford. Less than ten years later, Bradford had become the wool capital of the world with a population of 100,000 leading to the development of a solid engineering and manufacturing base. Industrial growth led to the rapid expansion of the city.

Textiles have declined in recent years, the local economy has expanded and the area now boasts remarkable engineering, printing and packaging, chemical, financial, banking and export industries. High technology and the media trades are also prosperous in a city which has moved with the times.

In the 50s Bradford was transformed by a large scale immigration from the West Indies, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Bradford is one of the U.K’s most multi-cultural city. Bradford is has always been a working class city and since its prompt growth in the 19th century, there have been major waves of immigration.

Bradford City Association Football Club is a professional association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The team play in League One, the third tier of English football, the club was founded in 1903. The club’s colours are claret and amber and they play home games at Valley Parade, the stadium capacity is 25,136.

Bradford Alhambra is a theatre in Bradford, it was built in 1913 at a cost of £20,000. In 1964, Bradford City Council bought the Alhambra for £78,900. The Alhambra undertook extensive renovation in 1986. The Alhambra seats up to 1,456 people.

Morrison’s was created in the great city of Bradford and founded by William Morrison in 1899 who started the business as an egg and butter merchant in Rawson Market. 1958 Morrison’s opened a shop in the city Centre. It was the first self-service shop in Bradford, the first shop to have prices on its products and it boasted three checkouts. Since then Morrison’s has grown from strength to strength and is now one of the U.K.’s leading supermarkets.

The city of Bradford holds a great amount of history, it may not be the biggest city but it holds a lot of character. A very diverse, multi-cultural city that shouldn’t be taken for granted, Bradford will continue to prosper and the future seems positive for this city.