Investigations are underway following the installation of a Betfred sign in the window of a historic building on Bradford’s Market Street, previously home to the grand Brown Muff department store. The prominent blue vinyl sign, filled with images of various sports, was placed on the shopfront without the typical advertising consent or planning permissions, according to local heritage advocates and Bradford Council.
Once known as “the Harrods of the North,” the building opened in the 1870s and housed the Brown Muff department store until it became Rackhams in 1977, later closing under the House of Fraser brand in 1995. Although the upper floors of this historic structure remain largely vacant, the ground floor hosts several businesses, including Café Nero, Lefteris Café, Nationwide, and the Betfred branch in question, which is widely known for its generous promotions, including the Betfred free bet offer.
The Bradford Civic Society, a leading voice in preserving the area’s architectural legacy, voiced concerns over the signage, highlighting the potential violation of heritage guidelines. Bradford Council responded, stating that its planning team would look into the matter “as soon as possible,” given the building’s location in a designated Conservation Area. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a Betfred spokesperson commented that the company would cooperate fully with council inquiries.
Bradford’s preservation advocates have also expressed broader concerns about the impact of modern shopfronts on historic architecture. In a recent case, the Bradford Civic Society criticised signage from Cash Generator, a national pawnbroker, installed on Pearl Assurance House—a Grade II listed building dating back to the 1870s. They described the sign as “garish” and warned it could cause lasting harm to the site’s architectural character.
Si Cunningham, chairman of the Bradford Civic Society, expressed his commitment to maintaining high standards of design across Bradford’s city centre, noting, “The way a shop or a street looks has a huge impact on how people feel.”
The ongoing cases underscore the challenges of balancing modern business needs with Bradford’s historic preservation goals, especially as the city centre undergoes pedestrianisation projects aimed at enhancing accessibility while celebrating Bradford’s architectural legacy.
