WORK has started to improve one of the main gateways to Bradford's new shopping centre.

Streets leading to the Westfield development, including Market Street, Charles Street and Well Street, have been improved and now Broadway is being spruced up.

Developer Westfield and its contractor are undertaking the £4.1 million of work on behalf of Bradford Council as part of an agreement signed just over a year ago.

The Council's project delivery manager Nigel Rice said: "Public realm works are now being carried out around the whole of the new shopping centre. The works which started in October have so far concentrated on Market Street, Charles Street and Well Street and have moved on to Broadway this week.

"Two new squares will be created at Forster Square and Market Square. The work includes new paving, street furniture, street lighting and planters and will be completed before The Broadway's opening."

Meyer Bergman, which owns the new Broadway shopping centre, has also bought the ground lease of the building where HMV is and the neighbouring kiosk with the "intention of upgrading the retail offer", according to a Council report.

A decision has not been made on what to do with the kiosk and whether the building will be part of the new shopping centre or refurbished and left separate.

Meanwhile the owner of the Xchange building, formerly Arndale House, which also fronts on to Broadway, is to refurbish its ground floor units.

The improvements, which include redesigning the first two floors to offer up to nine shop or restaurant units, are expected to be ready shortly after the Westfield opening in December.

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