For decades, Leeds Road has been one of Bradford’s most vibrant and bustling commercial corridors. Proudly home to some of Yorkshire’s most recognisable South Asian businesses, it has generated millions of pounds for the local economy while feeding and supporting generations of families across the region.
Yet, despite this undeniable commercial success, our community has rarely been recognised as the true economic powerhouse it is.
Here at the Leeds Road Festival, we are determined to change that.
Spearheaded by our co-founder Saleem Akhtar—renowned entrepreneur and owner of Jinnah Restaurants—we are incredibly proud to lead what many are calling Bradford’s most significant grassroots business movement in recent history. Our mission is about so much more than throwing an unforgettable weekend event; we are here to create a lasting legacy. We are uniting businesses, strengthening civic partnerships, and repositioning Leeds Road as Bradford’s flagship destination for culture, commerce, and community.
From Competition to Collaboration: Uniting Our Community
In most retail districts across the UK, neighbouring businesses compete for footfall. On Leeds Road, we are doing things differently: we are collaborating.
We have successfully brought together some of the area’s biggest culinary and retail giants—including Jinnah Restaurants, Akbar’s, Aagrah, Heera Foods, and Al Halal Worldwide—who have all backed this initiative. They, like us, recognise that a stronger, united Leeds Road benefits everyone.
Instead of asking, “What is good for my business?” our team has encouraged local entrepreneurs to ask, “What is good for our entire destination?”
“The business community and the community itself – we’ve brought everybody together. That’s what this has always been about.”
— Saleem Akhtar, Co-Founder, Leeds Road Festival
That simple but powerful shift in mindset is already proving to be our festival’s greatest achievement.
A Festival Built on Purpose (and Incredible Partnerships)
Bradford is a vibrant, dynamic city. We are home to around 16,600 businesses, supporting approximately 198,000 jobs in a local economy worth more than £13 billion. As one of Britain’s youngest and most diverse cities—boasting over 560,000 residents and 165 languages spoken in our schools—our potential is limitless.
While many independent retail areas face pressures from online shopping and rising costs, we are fighting back through community investment.
Last year’s inaugural festival was proudly supported through Bradford’s UK City of Culture programme, alongside immense investment from our local business network. This year, while we are grateful for the continued support of Bradford Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and local MPs, the majority of our funding has once again come directly from businesses determined to invest in their own home.
We are thrilled to highlight some of our phenomenal local partners:
- Ice Drinks: A massive supporter of our vision, producing over 5 million custom-made cans exclusively for this year’s Leeds Road Festival.
- Regal Foods: Helping us celebrate in style by creating special, limited-edition celebratory boxes to mark the occasion.
Crucially, our leadership team ensures that every single contribution is reinvested. As Saleem quickly points out: “Not a single penny is for me. Everything goes back into the festival and the community. That’s how it should be.”
Beyond the Weekend: Building a Lasting Legacy
The most exciting announcement we have for you isn’t just about this year’s festival—it is about what comes next.
We are currently in the process of establishing the Leeds Road Business Forum, which will eventually operate as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This will give our businesses a permanent, collective voice.
What this means for Bradford:
- Members will contribute annual fees that stay strictly within the organisation to fund community-enhancing projects.
- We are already in active discussions to secure additional public-sector investment.
- Instead of working in silos, Leeds Road will soon have one unified organisation representing hundreds of our incredible employers, retailers, and entrepreneurs.
Riding the “City of Culture” Wave
Bradford’s upcoming year as the UK City of Culture has already shown us what is possible when public bodies, businesses, and local people work hand-in-hand.
That landmark programme has attracted major government backing and is estimated to generate £389 million in long-term economic growth, supporting almost 6,850 jobs by 2030. Interim evaluations already show stronger hotel occupancy, surging visitor spending, and global media exposure.
At the Leeds Road Festival, we are directly harnessing that momentum. Last year, we proudly welcomed 25,000 visitors. This year? We are gearing up for an attendance that could easily exceed 50,000 across the weekend.
For our local restaurants, cafés, and independent shops, this represents far more than just increased footfall. It means new customers discovering hidden gems. It means families returning long after our festival stages have been packed away.
Changing Bradford’s Narrative Together
For too long, Bradford has been defined by headlines written by people who don’t live here—headlines focused on crime, poverty, or division.
But anyone who walks down Leeds Road during our festival sees the real Bradford: ambitious entrepreneurs, thriving family businesses, packed restaurants, and a community that lifts each other up despite national economic uncertainty.
Our city’s greatest strength has always been its people, and our ambition is simply to bring them together.
“If my broader vision succeeds, the lesson will extend far beyond one festival. It will demonstrate that regeneration does not always begin with cranes, government strategies, or multimillion-pound developments. Sometimes it begins when local businesses decide they are stronger together than apart.”
— Saleem Akhtar
Join us at the Leeds Road Festival. Come and taste the incredible food, experience the vibrant culture, and witness the true spirit of Bradford. We can’t wait to welcome you!
