BOYES in Bradford is relocating to the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, the retailer has confirmed.

If all goes to plan, the new store, in the former Argos unit, will open on Friday, May 3, with the current North Parade base closing its doors a couple of weeks before on Saturday, April 20.

It has been in its ‘top of town’ spot since 2003 and the space is now being marketed by Mark Brearley and Company.

Confirming the move, Robert Van der Heijden, from Boyes, said the decision was one that had not been taken lightly, but was set against factors including the closure of the city centre Westgate Morrisons and the planned relocation of the market.

He said the Morrisons closure had affected footfall in the area.

All staff will be transferred to the Kirkgate Shopping Centre and Mr Van der Heijden said the retailer was looking forward to showing shoppers the new store.

However, the Oastler Coffee Rooms, which was housed in the North Parade building before Boyes took it on, will not be making the move.

The store opened to great fanfare back in 2003, with hopes it would breathe new life into the city centre.

At the time, the Telegraph & Argus reported the firm had invested more than £500,000 in refurbishing the former Christopher Pratts store after it closed its doors.

In promotional material for the building, Mark Brearley and Company says: “Due to the nature of the property it is considered potentially suitable either for owner occupation or for redevelopment, perhaps for residential purposes (subject to planning etc) to provide a number of apartments.”

The building dates back to 1888. Meanwhile, Boyes’ move marks another new opening for the Kirkgate Shopping Centre. Last year, it was confirmed TJ Hughes would be the new anchor tenant in the mall.

The opening - due in spring this year - will see the retailer return to Bradford eight years after its store in Sunwin House on Godwin Street closed.

The discount department store chain is preparing to open a new 32,000 sq ft store in the former WH Smiths and neighbouring Officers Club and Suit Company shops on Westgate Mall and Darley Mall.

The TJ Hughes department store in Sunwin House - which it took over from the Co-Operative group - closed on August 31, 2011, after the national chain went into administration. More than 50 jobs were lost at the city centre department store after attempts to find a buyer failed. It was bought out of administration by Endless, a British private equity firm, which has expanded the company’s chain of stores.

The new Rabbit Hole Bar and Club, on the corner of Westgate and Godwin Street, is also due to open next month in the former Perfect Home unit.