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
Police launch investigation into ‘unexplained’ deaths of two people in Bradford
A police investigation has been launched following the 'unexplained' deaths of two people who were known to each other.
At around 6:55pm on 11 August, officers from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) were first called out to an address on New Stead Rise in Bradford following reports that a woman, aged 52, had been found dead, and then a further call was received at 7:14pm to reports a 59-year-old man was found dead at a business premises on Tong Park Industrial estate.
Both deaths are currently being treated as 'unexplained', WYP declared, and enquiries are being carried out with a forensic examination pending.
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry team, confirmed that the deceased are known to each other - which is why an investigation and public appeal for information has been launched.
"Sadly, we are investigating after the deaths of two people at two locations in Bradford," Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle said.
"These people are known to each other, and their deaths are being treated as unexplained. We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection with their deaths.
"Enquiries remain ongoing into establishing what has happened."
Can you help? Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101, or by using the live chat options at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/livechat, quoting log 1539 of 11 August.
Featured Image - rawpixel
Bradford
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
2nd June 2021 
