Bradford City Hall has been many things over the years: the House of Commons, the Old Bailey, the courtroom where Corrie's Tracy Barlow had her infamous trial.
A popular filming location for TV and film production crews alike, it's seen many famous faces pass through its doors, including Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody and A-listers Kiera Knightley, John Malkovich and Rupert Grint.
Its history as a film location dates back decades according to professor David Wilson, a director at Bradford UNESCO City of Film.
Room at the Top, which dates all the way back to 1959, was one of the very first films to shoot here - winning its actors some significant accolades in the process.
More recently, the hall has played host to the Peaky Blinders crew - doubling for The Midland hotel in Birmingham as Tommy Shelby ascends the City Hall steps the inside staircase.
A museum volunteer stands inside one of the prison cells used in the filming of Peaky Blinders
Also housed within the City Hall is Bradford's Police museum, which is now open to visit and contains some sought-out filming locations of its own - like the old prison cells used to film parts of Peaky Blinders and Kiera Knightley's Official Secrets.
John Malkovich was also filmed here for The ABC Murders, in which he starred alongside Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint.
About to reopen to the public after sitting empty for over a year, the Police Museum is now taking bookings for fans who want to visit the old prison cells and explore the world of their favourite shows from 4th June.
There's a Peaky Blinders-themed event planned for the future, but for now the focus is on the weird and wonderful police memorabilia inside.
From vintage police vehicles to the 'death mask' of Albert Pierrepoint, the Clayton born hangman who executed over 400 people (including many Nazis) during his career, there's plenty of weird and wonderful artifacts to be seen here.
You'll tour the old prison cells, led by guards in old-fashioned Victorian uniforms right up to more contemporary ones, and view relics from a different age of policing - such as 'old Sparky', a 1920s chair from Manningham Police Station once used to restrain violent prisoners.
On arrival, you'll be given a card with the name of someone from the past - be that a policeman, executioner or prisoner - who you'll learn about as the tour progresses.
On your way, look out for holograms of famous prisoners like Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist who once disappeared from a locked cell here, and ‘Chains Charlie’, a burglar who is said to still haunt the site today.
There'll also be some re-enactments of real murder cases happening upstairs in City Hall’s Victorian courtroom, which members of the public will be invited to judge as members of a mock jury.
Pre-booking is essential, with slots filling up fast already. Head over to the Bradford Police Museum's website to book your slot.
The Bradford Police Museum reopens on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th June 2021, and then every Friday and Saturday onwards until the end of November between 10am and 4pm.
Feature image - Billy Wilson.
Bradford
Zayn Malik appears to take swipe at former bandmate Harry Styles live on stage
Zayn Malik appears to have had a dig at his former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles, live on stage in Las Vegas.
The Bradford-born star was performing at the Dolby Live at Park MGM, where he’s nearing the end of a mini residency, when fans captured the awkward moment.
Zayn appeared to make a comment that felt very targeted towards his pal, who has announced a record-breaking run of shows at Wembley Stadium in London, along with residencies in other cities.
Addressing the crowd of fans, Zayn made a jibe about the ticket prices of the Harry Styles show, which has been upsetting fans since the Together Together tour was announced.
Fans have been slamming Harry for charging up to £466.24 for seated tickets, and pricing his standing tickets between £144.65 to £279.45 (those prices are for his 12-night run at Wembley).
It’s left a lot of people unable to afford to see the star on his newly-announced shows, which will see general tickets released tomorrow.
On stage last night, as seen in this TikTok video, Zayn said: “I just wanna say a big big thank you to everyone of you for being here tonight. You could’ve been anywhere, but you’ve decided to spend your night with me.
"Hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too high” before shrugging and wincing.
He then added: "Just saying… anyway" with a knowing smile as the crowd cheered.
Yorkshire railways to receive huge investment as government unveils £45 billion Northern Powerhouse Rail project
Clementine Hall
Regional leaders have confirmed a rail project in the North of England with first improvements taking place in Yorkshire.
The long-awaited Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project will see a whopping £45 billion worth of upgrades.
The first phase will see the construction of a new station in Bradford followed by upgrades in Leeds, York and Sheffield.
The electrification of lines between Sheffield and Leeds, Leeds and York and Leeds and Bradford will be the first priority and is expected to be completed in the 2030s.
The scheme has been described as "a once in a generation commitment to improving transport across the North".
Announcing the scheme, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "I spent three happy years in Leeds as a university student, a vibrant city I was proud to call home, but I've seen first-hand what underinvestment and empty pledges do to cities across the North.
"This government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
"This cycle has to end. No more paying lip service to the potential of the North, but backing it to the hilt. That's why this government is rolling up its sleeves to deliver real, lasting change for millions of people through Northern Powerhouse Rail: a major new rail network across the North that will deliver faster, more frequent services."
Stage two of the plan will include upgrades around Manchester, with the final stage delivering a new railway between Bradford and Huddersfield that wouldn't be delivered until the 2040s.
In a combined statement, the regional mayors of West, South and North Yorkshire said: "The long-term commitment will transform Yorkshire's transport network and deliver improved links across our region and on to Manchester, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
"It'll mean we can deliver quicker, more reliable journeys, opening up more choice around work, skills and opportunity for everyone across Yorkshire."
Georgina Pellant -
2nd June 2021 
