As Bradford ends its UK city of Culture tenure, it is indeed estimated the year-long festivity cost around £51m and generated audiences of three million peopel.

Bradford 2025 hosted about 5,000 “big,bold and brilliant” events,organisers said,including the Turner Prize,with city center footfall increasing by a quarter.

The closing event, called Brighter Still, will take place in bingley this weekend, with a “community cast” of hundreds of local people bringing dancing, poetry and singing to Myrtle Park.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said Bradford 2025 had made her “proud to be British”, adding: “I am very excited to see how this ambitious district builds on these achievements for the future.”

Bradford’s city of Culture Year Fuels Arts Boom

Bradford’s year as the UK City of Culture is having a big impact, bringing more opportunities for young artists and a surge in interest in creative studies. The city has seen a boost in its music scene and a rise in civic pride.

A 16-year-old photographer said the year has brought him some “amazing” opportunities. “It’s just been incredible seeing the music scene boom,” he said. “There were only a few gigs every now and then, and everything was really small, but now I’ve been able to be part of so many incredible experiences and meet so many new people.”

Sarah towan, from Bradford College, said applications for creative courses have jumped significantly for next year. “That’s not only a testament to the facilities we’ve got here, but also to the City of Culture and the legacy it has now for the arts in Bradford,” she said.

Shanaz Gulzar, bradford 2025 creative director, said: “Bradford 2025 has created a powerful new narrative for the city and district, and I’m delighted to see the rise in civic pride as a direct result of our year as UK City of Culture. This year has seen us welcome millions of people, and we have laid the foundations for long-term change with capital investments, training opportunities, wide-ranging education initiatives, artist-growth projects and, of course, our cultural program.”

Bradford Council reports a 29% increase in journeys taken between London and the district.