‘Streets Of Darkness’ Author A.A.Dhand Rallies Businesses Around Bradford Renaissance

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Bradford is a city fighting to return to its rightful place when it was a leading industrial centre and a true Northern Powerhouse, says Streets of Darkness author A.A.Dhand.

The author, himself a proud Bradfordian, will be talking about his love for the city and how its landscape is changing, during a business clinic at the YEN Expo 2016 conference on Tuesday 25th October.

Dhand has recently seen massive success with his novel, Streets of Darkness, with the TV rights now sold to FilmWave, whose director Paul Trijbits was Executive Producer for the recent adaptation of J K Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy for the BBC and HBO.

Raised in Bradford, he spent his youth observing the city from behind the counter of a small convenience store. After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to his home city to start his own business and begin writing. The history, diversity and darkness of the city have inspired his Harry Virdee novels.

He said: “I set my books against Bradford’s struggles with a hint at the way it is changing and the new developments. I feel Bradford is a city trying to get back to its rightful place when it was a leading industrial centre. There is a fair way to go with the infrastructure and so on, but I believe our city has potential to be a Northern Powerhouse. I hope my book and TV series will give Bradford the exposure it deserves, to raise the profile, but also to showcase the city from a different perspective.”

At the conference, held at Bradford College’s David Hockney building, he will be offering advice to would be authors on how to get published as well as the pitfalls – all of which he has learned on his own 10-year journey to finally break through and achieve his current huge success.

He will also look at the time management skills needed to meet the many commitments faced by the modern-day entrepreneur, explaining how he juggles his writing career with the day-to-day running of his pharmacy business.
One of the central aims of the YEN Expo conference is to bring together the business community to promote the growth of the city. A Bradford’s New Direction panel, featuring senior local figures, will discuss the next steps required to keep up the momentum of the ongoing renaissance. A new Creative Zone will showcase the city’s artistic, film and media sectors and the work of the college’s art and media students.

Mr Dhand added: “I’m a lifelong Bradfordian and proud of my city. I’m delighted to be attending the YEN Expo event as I want to meet as many people as possible who share those views and want to help drive things forward.
“I’m also keen to encourage the artistic side of our community – such as novel writing, script writing, film and theatre, and make sure we promote the many creative visions of our city.”

YEN Expo is Bradford’s biggest annual business event which attracts about 1,000 delegates from across the county, and around 50 exhibition stands from a wide range of Yorkshire businesses.

Formerly known as Bradford Business Conference, the event is in its fifth year and has been rebranded YEN EXPO 2016, reflecting the broader reach and Bradford’s re-established standing in the regional business arena.

Run by YEN (Yorkshire Enterprise Network) the all-day conference, on 25th of October, starts at 8am, is free to attend and features an extensive programme of seminars, panel sessions, business clinics and networking events, with a line-up of inspirational speakers. The A A Dhand Business Clinic starts at 3.30pm.

YEN Expo is run in partnership with the Telegraph & Argus and other partners are Bradford College, Bradford Council, Malik House Business Centres, The Broadway, FSB, and Business Enterprise Fund (BEF).


For further information about the conference or to register free as a delegate visit: www.yenexpo.uk


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