Unspun Stories

Unspun Stories is an immersive digital journey into Bradford’s late 20th century textile heritage, created by 509 Arts and the Colour Foundry for Bradford 2025. 

Bradford’s textile industry dates back more than 700 years, but its history isn’t only ancient. Unspun Stories looks at life in the mills during the last decades of the 20th century, when people travelled to Bradford from around the world to work in an industry that played a central role in the economy of the district. 

This immersive installation lasts around 20 minutes, and blends archive film footage, projections and soundscapes with audio recordings from those who worked in the mills during the ’70s, ’80s and 90s. Produced by 509 Arts as part of their Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions project, the result is an evocative journey back to a pivotal moment in Bradford’s recent history. 

On Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th, parts of the Unspun Stories soundtrack will be performed live in the installation. Two brass musicians from the City of Bradford Brass Band and the composer, Nick Lewis, will bring an added musical dimension to the immersive experience of Unspun Stories at 3pm, 4pm and 5:30pm on both days.

Unspun Stories takes place in the Basement at Loading Bay and is open at the following times:

• Wednesday – Sunday 12-6pm

Loading Bay is a brand new pop-up arts venue in Bradford City Centre for Bradford 2025.

Join us on Duke Street as we bring a true Bradford 2025 buzz to the heart of the city.

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Loading Bay
1 Duke Street
Bradford
BD1 3QR