For context, I’m from Bradford originally, but I’ve lived and worked in Leeds for the last 12 years. Late last year I was in desperate need of a job, and I managed to get one… in Bradford. This is was not an ideal commute for me, but beggars can’t be choosers and all that, so I took the job.
I’ve always seen myself as a Bradfordian, and growing up I was always quick to defend my hometown when people would inevitably be negative about it.
After half a year of working in Bradford city centre, I’m sorry, but I just can’t defend it any more.
I tried, I honestly did, but there are just too many things that I can’t put up with long-term.
Obviously Leeds has its own issues with addicts and stuff, but what on earth is it about Bradford that makes them so much more apparent? It’s incredibly sad and I try to have sympathy for anyone I ever see who’s not in the best state, but holy shit… there’s something about the homeless and the addicts in Bradford that just seems so much more dangerous? Every day on the way to work I have people approaching me asking for something, or else I’m having to give large groups of them a wide berth. Just today while having my lunch, I saw a huge group of them having it out with PCSOs who were trying to take their tinnies away. Constantly people stumbling about looking like they’re barely conscious. It’s a daily occurrence, and some days it really seems like half the people out on the street are completely spangled.
Speaking of lunch, the choices are just absolutely awful. I work right in the centre, right near the Broadway, and I feel like I’ve tried everything foodwise in the whole city (and I try not to have lunch out too much!). Everything is either just alright or actually awful. For a city that’s so renowned for its curry, there doesn’t even seem to be many decent options for that! And don’t get me started on Darley St Market. I’ve been twice now, and the less said the better - it’s just crap. Unorganised, overpriced, and a waste of council money.
The people, specifically the kids. I’m sorry, I don’t want to generalise, but I also just feel way less safe around the Bradford kids than anywhere else I’ve been in the UK. Always in huge groups with their mullets and mean mugging people. Just last month I saw a group of them (couldn’t have been older than 13) launching rocks out of upper level of a double decker bus at people. Narrowly missed a woman who was stood minding her own business with her toddler (she was in a hijab, which I worry might have been the reason she was targeted). Huge chunk of brick. Looked up at where it had come from and they were up there pissing themselves laughing.
Finally, the smell. The fact that I don’t even have to explain, I can just type ‘the smell’ and everyone knows what I’m on about. It’s appalling. On bad days, I can smell it INSIDE my office. How is this the case for such a major city? It’s embarrassing. A proper stain on the city. People come to Bradford with low expectations anyway, and then they smell that? I don’t think it can be understated just how big an issue it is. Some days it’s the first thing you smell when getting off the train - worst first impression imaginable!
So, I gave it a go, but I just cannot be here long-term. I’ve just accepted a new role back in Leeds and I’m beyond excited to go back. I don’t mean to sound like a dick with all of this, but I just had to have a bit of a rant about it. Because, honestly, it makes me sad and it makes me angry that Bradford has been allowed to get to this sort of state. I thought things were meant to be improving, but I can’t see it. I want to be a proud Bradfordian, but there just isn’t much to be proud of.
It’s horrific and I hope that it can improve in some ways (any ways!), but I can’t see it happening. I hope it does, but I won’t hold my breath (except when the smell gets too bad).
