Bradford 2025: Minister stresses necessity of private funding

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has highlighted the importance of Bradford 2025 covering its costs by attracting private money, after being questioned on the level of government support for the programme.

In July, government announced that DCMS would fund the initiative to the tune of £10m, alongside £5m in National Lottery funding via Arts Council England (ACE) and £4.95m directly from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

However, the £20m contributed by government and public bodies is 12.3% less than the £22.8m allocated to Coventry City of Culture 2021. Coventry went on to experience financial difficulties, with the trust running it going into liquidation earlier this year.

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Asked at an event in Leeds whether the government will provide additional funding to that already committed, Frazer said the organisers need to look to the private sector.

“I’m so proud that we are supporting Bradford as it becomes city of culture,” she said.

“It brings so much to a city and a long-lasting legacy, as we’ve seen from other cities of culture.

“What it also does, when you talk about money, is bring in private investment as well. I know the city of Bradford is working very hard to ensure it will be a huge success.”

A report by the National Audit Office into the funding of Coventry City of Culture 2021 found the trust had a total income of £44.5m during its existence. Of the £22.8m awarded to it by public bodies, £21.3m was paid out prior to its going into administration.

The cost of the year-long celebrations in Bradford has previously been put at £45m. Bradford 2025, the organisation set up to run it, has said the funding pledged so far will allow it to progress key projects.

Meetings with business

Meanwhile, it is taking steps to sound out private investment. Dan Bates, Executive Director of Bradford 2025, is due to meet businesses in the city later this month to discuss how they can help with the programming.

Bradford 2025 is currently recruiting for roles that involve income generation. Alongside other duties, both the National Partnerships Programme Lead and International Partnerships Programme Lead will be required to work with the Senior Management Team to "develop and deliver income generation".

They will also "collaborate with colleagues to identify and respond to fundraising opportunities".

Bex Williams, Head of Development at Bradford 2025 said: “From as early as the bid period, Bradford 2025 has recognised how vital funding from both the private and public sector will be for our success.

"We continue to engage with public sector funders, including government, as well as potential commercial partners, trusts and foundations, to secure funding to deliver our ambitious plans for our year as UK City of Culture.

"The ‘mixed’ approach to securing funding is well established within the sector and we have always been pragmatic in recognising that we need to engage with a variety of funding sources to deliver a brilliant year of events.”