According to the findings, about 17% of the UK population runs outdoors at least once a month. The race bug is also biting hard, as over half of all runners entered a competition like a 5K or marathon in 2025, and 61% are already planning to lace up for an event this year. However, the demographic split is stark. Men are still running significantly more than women, and those under 44 are nearly six times more likely to run than those over 61.

For the first time, the report tracked exactly what this hobby costs. The average runner spends £1,297 a year on their passion, with trainers being the biggest single expense at £187. Technology is also taking over the pavement. 81% of runners now use smartwatches or apps, and 12% are even using AI to plan their coaching and training sessions.

Despite the boom in the industry, a huge 81% of the UK population does not run at all. The reasons vary from a simple lack of enjoyment or injury to deeper issues like gym-timidation. Many cited feeling too unfit or embarrassed to start. Even those who do run struggle with motivation, with 24% saying it is their biggest hurdle, followed closely by struggles with breathing and fatigue.

Perhaps the most sobering part of the 2026 report is the rise in safety concerns. A significant 65% of runners have felt unsafe while out, which is a 23% jump compared to last year. Even more concerning, 62% have experienced intimidating behaviour such as being stared at, beeped at by cars, or followed.

The data shows that Gen Z and women are the most affected groups. Nearly three-quarters of female runners have felt unsafe, and they are twice as likely as men to be catcalled. To cope, 60% of runners now tell someone before they head out, and 58% avoid wearing certain clothes to try to stay safe.

Dan Cartner, Head of Marketing at SportsShoes, said:

“What stood out most to us this year wasn’t how many people are running, but how many are holding back. Running should be one of the simplest ways to stay active, yet confidence, motivation and safety are stopping too many people from even getting started – or from enjoying it fully once they do. We believe better access to the right kit, clearer education, and safer running environments can make a real difference. By publishing the Running Report, our aim is to push the conversation beyond performance and towards how we make running feel welcoming and supportive for everyone.”

You can find the full sets of data and insights at the SportsShoes website.

Taking place between 10^th-18^th June, a host of events across Shipley will celebrate action on climate change culminating in an exhibition and activities on Saturday 17^th June at Shipley Open Market featuring local climate and conservation organisations and a book and magazine swap, bike demonstrations, repairs and plant advice and sales.  

The week will start on Saturday 10^th June with several activities and events on the day including:

–          Plants and Prints Exhibition at Salt Works (202 Saltaire Road), 10 am-4 pm

–          Wildlife Walk at Northcliffe Park

–          Shipley Open Gardens with 17 gardens open to the public

On Sunday there will also be Balsam Pulling at Northcliffe Park and another chance to enjoy the Wildlife Walk. During the week, there’ll be workshops with Shipley Citizens’ Jury to find out about Shipley’s Climate Action Plan, free adult cycle lessons, the Climate Emergency and Environment Committee Meeting, the opening of Gallows Community Garden and a community litter pick starting outside the Kirkgate Centre on Friday 16^th June. 

On Saturday 17^th June, there’ll be a workshop on Everyday Permaculture at Salt Works, an open afternoon to enjoy guided tours of the habitat and butterfly spotting near Shipley Train Station, and family orienteering at Northcliffe Park.

Councillor Darren Parkinson, Chair of Shipley Town Council’s Climate Emergency and Environment Committee said:

“We wanted to create as many opportunities as possible for people of all ages to get involved and be inspired to tackle climate change and protect nature. Thanks to all the people and organisations involved, many events are free to attend or have a nominal fee to participate and they are open to everyone.

We hope this week provides an exciting opportunity for people to take an active role in protecting their environment and find out what we are doing as a community to take action on climate change.”

A full list of activities and events planned can be found on the Shipley Town Council website under News, www.shipleytowncouncil.gov.uk and by following the hashtag #SGBGW on social media.

The Great Big Green Week is organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change, whose members include the National Trust, WWF, Women’s Institute, Oxfam, and RSPB.

Harry Khinda, who runs The Crafty Indian street food and craft beer venue in Bradford Road, Shipley, has now prevented around 50,000 single-use plastic items from blighting the environment since he introduced the scheme just over two years ago.

One of the first restaurateurs in the country to launch a plastic-free drive, he’s now on a mission to increase the impact by urging other restaurant and takeaway owners to get involved.

Harry, whose family comes from Punjab, got the inspiration for the scheme from his father’s decades-old tiffin, which he brought over with him when the family settled in the UK during the 1960s. Dad Gian Singh carried on using the tiffin to carry his lunch to work at the Hepworth and Grandage factory in Bradford, back in the day.

Harry said: “At The Crafty Indian we’re known for doing things differently and we decided we didn’t want to continue polluting the planet with plastic by using takeaway containers and bags.

“We had a good old think as to how we could reduce our use of plastic and this led us on a journey back in history to the place where our parents came from – and we realised that the answer was staring us in the face. Indians have been using steel tiffins to carry their food around with them at work in the mills, farms, factories and offices for generations.

Mr Singh’s iconic original tiffin is still usable which, Harry says, demonstrates the longevity of the product, but the family are hanging onto that one for its obvious sentimental value.

The reusable tiffins, mostly sourced from India, are three-tiered, with room for a number of meals or courses and have a carry handle, which means there’s no need for a plastic bag either. They keep the food hot until the customer gets it home, which usually means there’s no need for reheating.

Customers initially buy their tiffin from the venue for £18 but then, each time someone uses it to collect a takeaway, they get 10% discount on their meal – so it very soon pays for itself and, eventually, they will find themselves in credit.

Harry added: “So far we’ve sold around 550 tiffins and this number increases by around three to four each week, which means our plastic use is reducing weekly at that rate. Even based on these early numbers, if you multiply it over ten years, just look how much less plastic will go into landfill from our venue alone.

“It obviously appeals enormously to our regulars, because they buy the tiffin but then get a discount off their meal each time they come in. About a quarter of our customers are now using tiffins, but this is still a journey we’re on. We’re making great progress and eventually we’d like all our takeaways to be served in this way so we can become fully sustainable.”

To encourage more people to take part, the tiffins are prominently on display in The Crafty Indian. The venue is promoting them heavily on social media and any new customers are asked whether they would prefer to use a tiffin to help prevent plastic waste.

Harry added: “Customers buy into the whole idea because they’re keen to do their bit to save the planet, especially young people who are learning to be more and more eco-friendly and feel it’s all about the small changes everyone can make.

“Now my next quest is to inspire other venues to get creative and recognise their responsibilities as a business to cut plastic waste as well as reducing litter, which is something that has always blighted the takeaway sector.

“If all takeaways and restaurants in Bradford followed suit, imagine the amount of plastic that would no longer go to landfill. Then multiply that by the venues up and down the country and its clear how big this could get.”

Anyone wanting to find out more about the tiffins and get involved in the campaign against plastic waste can contact Harry at The Crafty Indian. Call 01274 588 114 or email hello@thecraftyindian.com

‘Sup with Sup, then?

After a tough couple of years for us all, Sup is offering the perfect opportunity for the community to come together and rally around local businesses with two free-entry, first-of-their-kind, family-friendly events. The festivals have been put together by Raven Staging, a Bradford-based events company, in collaboration with Bradford City Council. Both events will run from 12PM-10PM – on the 12th of March in Shipley Market Square and on the 19th of March in Bingley Market Square – and will be held under a weatherproof stretch tent to ensure any northern drizzles won’t dampen the celebrations.

Sup is part of a string of events happening across Bradford localities this spring as part of the council’s “Spring Back” campaign which aims to get local high streets humming again.

For Shipley, Sup has partnered with a long list of fan-favourite establishments: 

• SALT Beer Factory (providing a range of their award-winning beers)
• The Triangle (providing an eclectic range of the best beers you’ve never tried)
• The Fox (providing their own Beespoke brews and featuring Shipley’s own Grumpy John’s cider)
• Cap and Collar (providing exceptional offerings from local brewers)

• Hullabaloo (providing a range of tasty Caribbean street food, along with a range of drinks to wash it down)
• Il Pirata X Mozza Fella (providing the best pizza team-up Bradford has ever seen, with a range of succulent slices to put those carb cravings to bed) 

And, for Bingley, Sup has partnered with another array of local businesses: 

• Wishbone Brewery (providing a mouth-watering combination of their cask and keg brews)
• Goose Eye Brewery (providing a delicious selection of their traditional cask beers)
• Bini Brewery (Bradford district’s new kids on the block, providing bone dry, easy-drinking, hazy beers.)

• The Peacock (providing sumptuous, freshly cooked Indian street food and a range of drinks.)
• The Triangle (joining us again, with their signature eclectic range)
• Il Pirata X Mozza Fella (the team-up returns, with their exceptional pizzas) 

To keep us on our toes as we fill ourselves up on beer and food, Sup has partnered with an array of local DJs across both events who will be playing a mix of upbeat and soulful tunes to keep the crowds going into the evening. 

Sup will be running a competition on their social media giving away on-the-day prizes at both events, including free food and drink for a couple of lucky punters. So make sure you follow @supbfd on Instagram and Facebook to ensure you don’t miss out. 

Eddie Kean, Director of Raven Staging, said:

“I moved to Bradford when I was 9 years old and my kids go to school in both Shipley and Bingley, so I’m especially excited to stage these events in my home valley and for my own community. The focus for these events is to kickstart the year and drive footfall to our highstreets by providing a platform to our local community of creators and entrepreneurs. Selecting our partners has been made that much easier by the world class quality of what’s on offer within the Bradford postcode. My hope is that the range of exceptional partners at these events will generate an equally great turnout from our local community. If Sup can provide a small celebratory salve for the difficulty we’ve all endured over the past few years, I’ll be a happy man. I look forward to raising a glass to us.” 

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said:

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to fund so many great events taking place across the district and in our towns and villages. I’m particularly pleased to see so many wonderful local businesses taking the opportunity to showcase their offer and I’m sure it’ll be a great day out for everyone.” 

So, get the dates in your diaries, round up the family and get ready to sup in celebration of local enterprise, the fantastic resilience of our local hospitality industry and our ability to get together again once more. 

Full details of all the events being held as part of the council’s Spring Back campaign can be found here.

Raven Staging is a Bradford-based events company that specialises in bespoke and off-the-shelf staging, sound, lighting and ancillary solutions to a wide range of clients. 

Restaurant owner Harry Khinda has signed up to become a charity partner for Railway Children – a voluntary organisation which provides protection and shelter for  thousands of children forced to live on the streets, through poverty, abuse, violence and neglect.

Over the coming months, he will be organising various fund-raising events and activities to support the charity.

To kick off the campaign, the craft beer and Indian street food venue, on Bradford Road, will be asking for a discretionary £1 contribution from each customer on top of their bill. It’s hoped that this will raise around £100 a week and more than £5,000 over the course of the year, rising gradually as the easing of Covid restrictions allows more diners into the premises. The Crafty Indian will then top up the total with its own weekly donation. Any customers who don’t wish to donate will be given the choice to opt out.

Harry has witnessed first-hand the suffering and deprivation of India’s street children during visits to relatives in New Delhi.

He said. “I’ve seen with my own eyes the lives these children are forced to live – or should I say “exist”. The future is bleak, with no food or decent clothes, no education and often no parents around to look out for them. This leaves them very vulnerable and at risk from all kinds of dangers.

“For all of India’s advancements in recent decades, it’s still a very poor nation, where the rich look after themselves and the poor don’t stand a chance. As I’m in a position to do something about it, I feel that now, more than ever, is the time to take action. As a street food venue, there’s a sort of synergy to supporting a charity that feeds children living on the streets. 

“I’ve chosen a smaller charity with lower overheads, so I can be confident that the money quickly gets to the streets to start working, with more of our donations going directly to the cause.”

Railway Children’s Corporate Partnerships Manager Mary McLaughlin said: “We’re delighted to welcome The Crafty Indian on board as a charity partner. Thanks to our corporate partners and the generosity of their customers, we were able to reach and protect 15,822 vulnerable children last year. Each £1 donated goes a long way in the developing world so, for example, 89p would pay for a day’s nutritious meals for one child staying in a Railway Children Shelter.

“Over 11 million children live on the streets of India, running away from abuse, violence and poverty. Thousands use the extensive railway network to get to the cities, where they hope to find a better life. They arrive at the vast, chaotic railway stations only to find themselves lost, alone and scared, with no idea where to go or what to do. Their dreams brutally shattered, they end up living on the platforms. Our outreach workers spend time with children, gaining their trust and providing a safe place to stay while we work out the best long-term solution for their individual circumstances.

“Over the past 18 months, as the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded and India has been particularly impacted, our work has evolved to adapt to the changing needs of the vulnerable community we exist to support. We’re now using some of the donations received to deliver monthly emergency food and essentials hampers to families of children we have previously reunited, who are now on the brink of survival, having lost all means of income.”

For further information about the Railway Children charity please visit: www.railwaychildren.org.uk

For further information about the Crafty Indian Restaurant please visit: www.thecraftyindian.com

The market, which has been organised by Bradford Council’s Markets Service, will take place next to, and will complement the existing Shipley Open Market from 9am to 5pm.

Stalls will offer traditional seasonal gift ideas for all the family including handmade gifts, jewellery, artisan fudge and cake, locally produced beverages bath and beauty products.

As part of the festivities local theatre company will be delivering a programme of entertainment with performances starting at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm and the Shipley Christmas lights will be switched on at 5pm.

There will be a parade of pantomime characters, Santa and toy soldiers from Kirkgate to the Marie Curie shop at 12pm, 2pm and at 4pm.

At 12.15pm, 2.15pm and 4.15pm there will be half hour performances of the Nutcracker in the Market Place.

Santa will be on his throne near to the Shipley Sheep to meet and greet children from 12.45pm to 2pm and again from 2.45pm to 4pm.

At 4.45pm Saint Paul’s Church Junior Choir will sing Christmas Carols before all the characters from the parade will join together to turn on the Christmas lights in Shipley town centre at 5pm.

Khansa Tufail, Market Promotions and Projects Officer, at Bradford Council, said:

“As well as the broad range of shops, cafes and bars based in the town, there will be a great selection of stalls and attractions at the annual Shipley Christmas market. It should be a great day for families.”

In this roundup, I’m taking a look at some of my favourite businesses in Shipley, to show off the sheer variety that’s on offer and to encourage you to support some of the great independent businesses that we’re so lucky to have.

Hullabaloo

It seems like yesterday that Hullabaloo first opened their doors – however, they’re coming up to their 2nd Birthday in October. In that seemingly short space of time, they’ve won many avid fans.

With a focus on high quality craft beer, it’s a beer lovers paradise, and what’s more they have a forward thinking approach when it comes to working with local businesses and trying to promote Shipley as a destination. Having hosted countless events, ranging from Live Music to an Escape Room collaboration with nearby Narrow Escape, they’re a business that’re easy to supporting!

John Kearns Butchers

Having been in Shipley for decades, Shipley wouldn’t be the same without John Kearns Butchers. Well known for their friendly service and high quality, locally sourced meat, Kearns are on hand to help you eat well. Whether you’re looking for a leg of lamb for a superior Sunday Roast, or want to host the best barbeque around – the meat is reasonably priced, better quality than that of nearby supermarkets and you can’t beat the personal service on offer.

If you’ve not visited John Kearns Butchers, make sure you visit soon.

Interlude Tea Room

Most people in Shipley will have visited Interlude Tea Room at some point or another, and if you’re yet to visit – what are you waiting for?

It’s a wonderful, family-run, 1920s styled tea room who are renowned for their personal service, fantastic selection of dishes and their position as one of the best cafe/tea rooms in the Bradford is well cemented. When visiting Interlude, you can expect a friendly reception, relaxing surroundings and plenty of options for a spot of indulgence.

The Little Stationery Shop

Got children heading back to school and want to get them kitted out with stationary? The Little Stationery Shop’s the only shop you’ll need.

They’re a great, independent stationary shop with a deceptively large product range. Put simply, they’ve got just about anything you could need when it comes to stationary, so whether you’re an avid crafter, professional or need to get prepped for School, College or Uni – make sure you pencil in a visit soon!

Ellis Briggs

Something of a famous name in Shipley, most people who grew up in the area will have fond memories of visiting Ellis Briggs for their first bicycle.

They’ve been in the area for over 80 years and specialise in selling, repairing and manufacturing bikes. In fact, they’re the oldest custom steel framebuilders in the UK.

In 2019, they continue to provide the exceptional levels of service that they’re so well known for. Ride a bike? Thinking of what to get your kids for Christmas? A trip to Ellis Briggs is in order!

X-it Games

The independently owned X-it games opened their Shipley Escape Room in 2018 and have since managed to rack up countless positive reviews, even gaining praise from respected industry critics.

Their game “Afterlife” welcomes players to take up the challenge to cross the void into their afterlives. The game itself is full of creativity and offers an unparalleled experience, which is unrivalled in Shipley. Offering a great setting for those looking for a way to spend a fun afternoon or a way to enhance team work – many of you will have been curious about this intriguing new business – and I encourage you to go check it out for yourself!

Predators

Although I’ve never owned an exotic pet myself, I have fond memories of visiting Predators to browse their intriguing selection of exotic pets.

Having been in Shipley for many years, owners of exotic pets, and those thinking of getting one visit Predators from far and wide. They’ve got a wonderful product range and a number of rare pets, including snakes, Gheko’s and various others.

Elsie Russell

Anyone local to Shipley will know Elsie Russel Florist. Founded as far back as 1954 – the family run business is fiercly passionate about floristry and providing the best product possible. The focus on quality is exceptional and it’s because of this that they’ve been able to thrive for so many years.

Perhaps putting it best on their website they say ” For over fifty years my family have followed an almost fanatical belief in how to deliver the highest quality flowers. The Dutch introduced the idea of refrigerating flowers when sending them across long distances. From my travels around the world I spend as much time ensuring the best possible care on their journey as I do choosing the best flowers for you. I have never sold an old flower. I would rather throw it away.  You will always have the freshest flowers I can deliver.”

Narrow Escape

Narrow Escape is every geeks dream. They’re a Comic Book store, who also stocks Graphic Novels, Board Games, Card Games and a good range of Figurines. They’re accessible through Shipley Market and have parking spots just outside, which are often filled with Comic Book fans who travel far and wide to visit.

As well as an enormous selection of the latest Comic Books and Graphic Novels, which are hard to find anywhere else in Bradford, they offer a knowledgeable service and can always point people wanting to learn more about the world of Comic Books in the right direction. If you’ve got Children with an interest in gaming or superheroes, or have an avid interest in Comic Books yourself, you should visit as soon as possible.

So there you have it, just a small flavour of what’s on offer in the wonderful town of Shipley. Of course, we’ve just scratched the surface and we’ll be adding more businesses to the roundup over time. But for now – if you can glean one thing from this article, it’s that there are plenty of reasons to head into Shipley Town Centre and even more great reasons to offer your support to the thriving scene of independent businesses in the area – so that our town can continue to grow and thrive, well into the future.