A Proposal

Here is our proposal for the first part of the Bradford Gothic Revival. Please let us know if you have any questions.

THE EXHIBITION

• What is it? An exhibition (preferably in a covered and accessible open space), all about the Alternative communities in and around Bradford and the North.
• We are currently collecting testimonies, quotes, photos, memories and memorabilia from the Alternative scene of days-gone-by, from a diverse range of people. We are crossing cultural boundaries and transcending preconceived ideas of negative perceptions of the Alternative community.
• We are putting emphasis on how the Alternative cultures have built communities of people and brought people together no matter their circumstances, friendships being forged against prejudice and hatred. Highlighting the beauty in being different and the roles people have played in helping the community with mental health, self-expression and passing the torch to the next generation, of self-expression, arts and culture.
• Our intention is to fill the space with quotes, photos, memorabilia, gig tickets, stories, handwritten stories, local photography, local history and artwork from different groups, going all the way back to the birth of the Goth subculture in the 70’s and beyond.
• Visitors will have the opportunity to hand-write their own memories to add to the exhibit in a book that will be displayed throughout the exhibit, creating an Alternative archive of stories and memories to hopefully be donated in the future to conservation efforts, such as a local historic collection.
• Venue space must be as close to central Bradford as possible for public accessibility. Venue must be wheelchair accessible, and we will provide large-print guides for visually impaired visitors.

Dates preferably in the latter half of 2025- October/November to coincide with half-term and Halloween.

Best wishes,
City of Counterculture Team

So that’s the basic proposal Anika sent this evening.  What we want to do, eventually, is resurrect the Alternative scene in Bradford, that we lost when Rio’s, The Market Tavern and The Empress all went.

But we can only do it with your help.

If you watn to get involved, or are just interested in finding out what’s going on, Anika set up a page on Facebook.