HISTORIC sections of Bradford’s old Kirkgate Market will be restored and installed at the site of the new Darley Street Market.

The new three storey market, and a public square, will be built on the site of the former Marks & Spencer building on Darley Street once that building is demolished.

A planning application for the scheme was approved last year.

But now a new application, calling for amendments to the already approved scheme, has been submitted to planners.

The most eye catching change is a decision to incorporate part of Bradford’s market history in the new market.

The city’s Victorian Kirkgate Market was demolished in 1973 to make way for the Kirkgate Shopping Centre - opposite the site of the new market.

The decision to demolish the grand building is still, nearly five decades later, considered hugely controversial.

Bradford's new Darley Street Market will have live music stage, late openings and seating for 500

Parts of the building were retained after the demolition and placed in storage, and the amendment to the Darley Street Market application would see the historic gates to the Kirkgate Market refurbished and installed at the new market site.

The £21 million market is seen as one of the main regeneration projects in Bradford city centre. The building will replace the city’s existing markets. Once it opens, the current Kirkgate Market will close, as will the Oastler Market in the Top of Town area.

Oastler Market will be demolished to make way for a ‘city village’ residential development.

Darley Street Market would feature food and non food stalls, as well as hot food vendors, indoor and outdoor dining areas and a performance stage.

There will also be a public square, where the former Burton building stands. The amended application also includes gates that would allow this public square to be closed off in the evening to prevent anti social behaviour and for “ticketed events.”

Parts of the courtyard, including benches, have been changed from their original design to "reflect the character" of the historic section of Kirkgate Market. This will include a curved bench - designed to match the heritage feature.

Other changes in the plans include the reduction in roof overhang size, including removal of steel supporting members, the enclosure of public realm using gates and landscaped features and amendments to proportions of timber, glass and ventilation louvres in the facade.

The amended application also says Bradford Stone will be used for many of the features.

A decision on the amended plans will be made by the end of the month.

The market was originally due to open in 2022, although it is as yet unclear how the Covid 19 pandemic has impacted this timetable.