Work on Bradford’s new Broadway shopping centre is progressing well, according to the developer’s head of construction.

A month ago hoardings started going-up around Bradford Urban Garden, which was created as a temporary use for part of the site in 2010 after work halted. At the start of the year a spokesman for the scheme’s developer said people would start to see changes on the site – which became known colloquially as ‘The Hole’ after it was mothballed – from January 6.

That week the BUG was closed and sealed off from view with large temporary walls to make the safe site to the public. The grassy public area has now been cleared as diggers have been shifting soil since construction work started on January 13.

Although much of the site is now not visible, activity has been increasing across the whole site and large machinery can be seen from Hall Ings. Preparation work is now under way ready for the building’s steel frame to be installed, which is due to happen next month.

During the build, 6,600 tonnes of structural steel will be used; 95,000 sq m of metal decking; 20,000 cubic metres of concrete and 1,000 sq m of glazing. Constructing the centre will also create 1,500 jobs.

The plan is to open the £260m Westfield shopping centre, which will include stores Next, Marks & Spencer, River Island and Debenhams, in December 2015.

Head of design and construction at Westfield, Keith Whitmore. said, “Construction is progressing well.

“Local Bradford sub-contractor Moortown is currently on site installing foundations, drainage and concrete cores in preparation for the structural steel frame works.”

Other local companies are now in talks with the Australian-based developer about securing contracts for the build.