On this page you will find all the relevant practical information to help you plan your trip to and stay in Bradford. 

As always, don’t forget to pack lightly, but consider bringing comfortable shoes and a warm coat. Please bring your own water bottle and reusable mug. 

Please also use the IETM Forum to share your suggestions on how to minimise your footprint travelling to and during  this meeting.

You can click on the links below to jump to the desired section.

CONTENT: 

• Community guidelines
• Accessibility
• Locations: General information about the meeting venues, including accessibility 
• Travel: Advice on how to get to and around the city 
• Accommodation: Suggested best locations to look for accommodation
• Visas: Info on visa requirements
• Currency: Info on exchange offices and cash dispensers
• Useful numbers
• Environmental consciousness at the meeting
• FAQs

IETM Focus meetings are unique gatherings for our peers, partners and friends from across the globe. These sessions are opportunities for us, individually and collectively, to champion and challenge our work, our opinions and our thoughts for the future.

In the spirit of inclusion, IETM is committed to creating a safe space in which all voices can be heard; and an environment in which opposing views can exist without judgement and prejudice.

To achieve this, we encourage speakers and participants to show respect when they speak and listen to others.

1. For many people in the room, English is not their native language, so please take care to speak slowly and clearly (with the use of amplification where available);
2. Use the language that the individual prefers when referring to their gender, disability, or racial identity. If you are unsure what language to use, ask respectfully;
3. Acknowledge and respect Indigenous sovereignty: Indigenous peoples have unique histories, cultures, customs and traditions that deserve respect and recognition;
4. We value diverse perspectives and encourage everyone to engage thoughtfully and respectfully in discussions, regardless of background, nationality, race, religion, gender, or personal views;
5. If a speaker or participant is using access support, please communicate directly with the individual concerned and not via their translator or support worker;
6. If a speaker or participant is using a wheelchair and the conversation lasts more than a few minutes, sit down or kneel to be on their level if you can;
7. Always ask for someone's permission before touching them or getting physically close to them;
8. When a question is asked by a participant in a session, we would ask the moderator or speaker to repeat the question before answering it;
9. Please allow all speakers and participants to complete their sentences without interruption; however, please also be mindful to allow space for many voices to be heard and for moderators to manage it;
10. Respect everybody’s right to both hold and share an opinion, listen actively to what someone is saying, and ask questions if you need clarification. Show that you value their perspective and experience.
11. Discriminatory language, personal attacks, harassment, or bullying based on identity or beliefs will not be tolerated.

Please keep in mind

• We all have knowledge, something to share, something to learn and hold valuable experiences and inputs;
• No-one is the holder of ‘the truth’;
• Respect the physical, mental and emotional boundaries of others as well as our own;
• Strive to act with positive intent and take care of each other.

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We aim to make IETM Focus Bradford as accessible as possible. 

If you have any questions about accessibility, please get in touch with us on [email protected]

In the city

AccessAble’s Detailed Access Guides for Bradford has all the information you need about the venues’ access, including hotels and guest houses, places to eat and drink, and places to visit. You can access it via these links:

Directly using AccessAble: Search | AccessAble

Through the Visit Bradford website: AccessAble Guide - Bradford

At the meeting

For this meeting, we are able to:

• Offer preferential rates for disabled participants.
• Offer free registration for your support worker - please contact [email protected] to arrange this.
• Provide an Easy Read Guide of the meeting and an accessible version of the programme, which will be sent no later than one week ahead of the meeting.
• Provide captions for all sessions of the meeting. 
• Ensure that all venues hosting the day time working programme are wheelchair accessible.
• Provide a Relaxed Room for participants at the meeting's main venue.

Venue accessibility information is listed under each venue.

Artistic Programme

To book a wheelchair space for the performance of Elmet by The Javaad Alipoor Company on 23 October, please contact the Bradford 2025 Ticketing team on + 44 (0) 1274 053100 or 

[email protected]

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Main meeting venues 

Bradford Arts Centre (formerly known as ‘Kala Sangam Arts Centre’)

Address: Bradford Arts Centre, 1 Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4TY

Bradford Arts Centre will be the main and daytime venue for the Focus meeting. Bradford Arts Centre (formerly known as Kala Sangam) is currently being refurbished and will be open to the public this autumn.

Bradford Arts Centre is an intercultural arts hub which aims to reflect the diversity of contemporary Britain through the work they present, the artists they support and the communities they engage. Specialising in South Asian arts and culture, most of their work takes place here in the heart of Bradford (in between Bradford Cathedral and The Broadway Shopping Centre), with a range of outreach activities extending nationally and internationally.

Accessibility: 

• Step free
• Accessible for wheelchair users
• Elevator access to all rooms
• Wheelchair adapted toilets on all floors
• Relaxed room
• Pumping room for breastfeeding parents
• Prayer room

Public transport connections:

• Bradford Forster Square train station: 0.5 km, approximately a 10 minute walk
• Please note: the venue may show on maps as Kala Sangam Arts Centre

Common Space

Address: 1-3 John Street, Bradford, BD1 3JT

Accessibility:

• Ramp access to the building
• Elevator access. Please note that the elevator does not accommodate a large wheelchair - the lift dimensions are maximum door width 74 cm, maximum depth 90 cm. We will only be using the ground floor during the IETM Focus meeting
• Accessible toilets on the ground floor
• Quiet room on the ground floor - it is a multi-faith quiet room open to all. Prayer mats available
• Video of the venue: Common Space Official Tour - Bradford

Public transport connections:

• Bradford Interchange train station: 0.8 km, approximately an 11 minute walk
• Bradford Forster Square train station: 0.8 km, approximately an 11 minute walk

Artistic programme venues 

Loading Bay

Address: 1 Duke Street, Bradford, BD1 3QR 

Accessibility: 

• Step free
• Accessible for wheelchair users
• Elevator access to all rooms
• Wheelchair adapted toilets on the ground floor
• Visual story: Loading Bay: Visual Story | Bradford 2025
• To book a wheelchair space for the performance of Elmet by The Javaad Alipoor Company on 23 October, please contact the Bradford 2025 Ticketing team on + 44 (0) 1274 053100 or [email protected]

Public transport connections:

• Bradford Forster Square train station: 0.5 km, approximately a 10 minute walk

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IETM is a strong advocate for rail travel, and we therefore encourage you to travel by land if you are able to.

Getting to Bradford

By train

Bradford is fairly accessible by rail from most parts of the UK. 

There are two main train stations in Bradford:

• Bradford Interchange: Bridge Street, Bradford BD1 1TU 
• Bradford Forster Square: Unit B Forster Square, Bradford BD1 4HY 

Both stations are approximately 0.5 kilometres from the main meeting venue (about a 10-15 minute walk at a moderate pace).

To book:

There are several different train companies operating in the UK, which serve different routes across the country. 

• National Rail Enquiries provides information about all train companies and services in the UK. Choose Bradford (All Stations) as your destination and it will select the best route from your departure station. Once you find your journey, you can click through to buy the ticket from the relevant train company.
• Please note that rail services in the UK are privatised and can therefore become very expensive if not booked in advance. Cheaper deals can sometimes be found on Trainline or Ticketsplitter for the same journey.

By coach

Bradford can be reached by coach using the National Express service within the UK.

Select BRADFORD, Nelson Street as your destination. The stop is in the centre of Bradford, approximately 0.6 kilometres from the main meeting venue (about a 10-15 minute walk at a moderate pace).

Car pooling 

If you choose to drive to Bradford, don’t forget to ask other participants if they want to share a ride by posting on our Forum.

• The M606 motorway is the main road route into Bradford city centre, linking up with the M1, A1 and M6 via the M62. The M606 leaves the M62 at junction 26 and comes into Bradford at the A6177 ring road. Alternatively the A650 and A658 also join the A6177 ring road. 
• From the south, west or east, the most convenient route is via the M62 and then the M606.
• From the north-west, take the A629/A650 via Skipton and Keighley.
• From the north-east, take the A1 or the A19, then reach Bradford via the A59/A658 south of Harrogate.

Bradford has recently been pedestrianised therefore the city centre can be hard to navigate when driving. There are however a good number of central car parks available. The following is a list of the main multi-storey car parks:  

• The Broadway Car Park: Hall Ings, BD1 1JR 
  Opening hours: 6:00 - 1:00
  0.3 km from the main meeting venue
• Kirkgate Car Park: Godwin St, BD1 3PT 
  Opening hours: Monday - Saturday, 9.00 - 17.30; Sunday & Bank Holidays 10:30 - 16:30
  1 km from the main meeting venue

By plane

The nearest airport to Bradford is Leeds Bradford Airport, which is 12.3km to Bradford city centre.

To reach Bradford from the airport, use the Flyer bus (buses A2 and A3):

• Tickets can be booked on the website.
• Tickets cost £2.50 for a single journey and £5 for a return.
• To find the Flyer bus at Leeds Bradford Airport, go to the bus stop located directly in front of the main terminal building, and look for the dedicated bus and taxi lane marked on the road.

You can find further information about travelling between Leeds Bradford Airport and Bradford here (please note, there is no train station at the airport).

Bradford can be reached by train or coach from other UK airports (see information above).

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Hotels

Please note: The price range below is based on rates found in June 2025; IETM cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in price. 

Booking through websites such as booking.com may provide access to additional discounts. 

Leonardo Hotel Bradford

Address: 2 Thornton Road, Bradford, BD1 2DH

Approximate price per night: 58€ - 110€

Accessibility:

• Elevator access
• Rooms are available with accessible bathrooms/washrooms 
• Reception, bar and restaurant are on the ground floor  

Distance from the main meeting venue: 0.5 km, approximately a 10 min walk 

Midland Hotel

Address: Cheapside, Bradford, BD1 4HU 
Approximate price per night: 65€ - 140€
Accessibility: Free onsite parking 
Distance from the main meeting venue: 0.2 km, approximately a 5 min walk 

The Great Victoria Hotel Bradford 

Address: Bridge Street, Bradford, BD1 1JX
Approximate price per night: 83€ - 150€
Distance from the main meeting venue: 0.5 km, approximately a 10 min walk 

Share a room or host an IETM participant

Looking for someone to share a room with? Post your accommodation offer or find a bunkmate on our Forum.

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Please note that travel requirements for the UK have changed since Brexit.

• If you are from the EU, you will be required to apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). It costs £16 to apply online or through the UK ETA app. You cannot get a refund after you apply. For more information visit the website.
• If you are from outside the EU, you can find information about visas on the UK government website: Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Apply for a Standard Visitor visa - GOV.UK

If you need an invitation letter to apply for a visa, please register for the meeting and contact [email protected] with the subject line ‘VISA LETTER - Your Name’. 

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The currency in the UK is the pound sterling. You can check the conversion rate to your currency here. Be sure to check with your bank for any fees on exchanging money and using international currency abroad. 

Payment by card is common in the UK, including Visa and Mastercard, and American Express in select places. While some businesses only accept cards, cash is also widely accepted. 

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Emergency number for medical assistance, fire and police: 999

In case of emergency, the 999 emergency number allows you to call for help and get quick and vital assistance, 24 hours per day. 

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In addition to the precautions we take to make the impact of the Plenary on the environment as gentle as possible, we ask you to also contribute by following these tips:

• Switch off your computer and your smartphone when they are not in use.
• Connect to the venue’s public Wi-Fi instead of your 3G/4G data if possible.
• Avoid disposable tableware whenever possible and bring your own tote bag to shops and grocery stores.
• Sort your waste according to the instructions at the venues and throughout the city if possible. 
• Bring your own water bottle and reusable coffee mug to spare the environment the plastic and yourself the money.
• Refill your bottle. Tap water in the UK is completely safe to drink. We recommend that you fill up your water bottle in the morning at your hotel, and do refills during the day. You can do so in the bathroom at the meeting venues.

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How do I register for the meeting? 

In order to register for the meeting you must have an IETM account. 

• If you don't have one yet or are not sure if you already have one, please click here. Please note that new accounts take up to 3 working days to be approved.
• If you have forgotten your login information you can recover it here.

After logging in to your account you will be able to proceed with the registration procedure here. 

Please note that: 

• Registrations are open from 25 June for IETM members and for all disabled cultural professionals (members and non members) only.
• From 1 September, registrations will be open to non-members. 

How do I register a colleague?

If you are trying to register someone other than you for the meeting, you will first have to ensure the person has an IETM account. 

• If the person has an account,  you can log in to their account (if they forgot their login information, they can recover it here);
• If the person does not have an account, you can create one for them here (make sure you are not logged in to your IETM account). Please note that new accounts take up to 3 working days to be approved. 

After logging in to their account, you will be able to proceed with the registration procedure. 

How do I cancel my registration?

You can cancel your attendance by selecting ‘cancel my registration’ via the confirmation email you will have received when registering for the meeting.

We are expecting very high attendance, for this reasonn we encourage anyone who is unable to attend the meeting to cancel their registration. Every spot is precious, so if you are not coming, please cancel!

FEES

Do I have to pay anything else besides the registration fee?

• You will have to pay for tickets to the artistic programme.
• You will also have to cover your own accommodation, travel, subsistence and other costs. 

For IETM members: Please make sure that your membership fee is settled before your arrival at the meeting.

Can I propose a topic for a discussion?

Certainly! If you have an idea, a proposal or a suggestion please get in touch with us through our Forum. We will do our best to accommodate you. Please note however that an IETM meeting takes months and years to organise and that it is not always easy to respond positively to last minute requests.

Can I propose a performance for the artistic programme?

The artistic programme of an IETM meeting gives a snapshot of the situation of the contemporary performing arts scene in the host country. It is not a festival, but rather an overview of the achievements, tendencies and concerns of the artists in the city, country or region hosting the meeting, and is curated by our local partners. 

TRAVEL AND MOBILITY

What external mobility funding opportunities are available to potentially support my attendance at the IETM Berlin Plenary Meeting 2025?

We invite you to check out the following resources for information on mobility funding:

• On The Move (OTM) is the cultural mobility information network active in Europe and worldwide. OTM produces, together with its partners, national and regional cultural mobility funding guides.  
• Culture Moves Europe is the new, full-scale European cultural mobility scheme funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union and implemented by Goethe-Institut. 

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