Calling for businesses to consider moving into existing empty offices in Bradford now, not an unnecessary and destructive development in two years.

We, the undersigned, will boycott any business which knowingly signs up as a tenant to the proposed New Victoria Place scheme in Bradford without first considering alternative options to the demolition of the Odeon.

If these businesses truly do want to move to Bradford, there is no shortage of empty city centre office space of a very high standard for them to choose from, without being part of this civic vandalism, and we encourage them to do that instead. 

This should also be in keeping with their corporate social responsibility policies with regard to their environmental impact, as well as their impact on the local community.

There is no need for a scheme like New Victoria Place in the city. In the years since it was proposed, we have seen numerous hotels built, much office space become available, and enough city centre apartments lie empty to know that it is not required.

Any business which signs up is aiding the demolition of the Odeon, an iconic building currently standing on the site of the proposed scheme. The Odeon is a landmark for which the people of Bradford have been fighting for years, and recent proposals to renovate it and put it to use as part of the city's cultural regeneration are far better for the city than New Victoria Place.

Any business which signs up to New Victoria Place does so knowingly against the wishes of the people of the city they wish to trade from, and should expect to be named and shamed, to be boycotted, and to be the subject of protest.

FIND OUT MORE about the Odeon scandal in the press

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