THE new Darley Street market is expected to bring around £32 million of economic benefits to the city centre in the next 10 years - according to Bradford Council.

And the authority has detailed how eco friendly technology will be used to make the building a key part of Bradford's "green recovery."

The £23m market will be built in the place of the Marks & Spencer building on Darley Street, and is expected to open in 2023. Last month contractors arrived on site to begin demolition of the Darley Street buildings - work that is likely to last until the end of the year.

The market will replace the city centre's two existing markets. Kirkgate Market in the Kirkgate Centre will close once the new market opens. 

Oastler Market will also close, with the site being demolished to make way for a new residential "city village" development.

The Council has referred to that scheme as an "ecological inner city regeneration housing project."

Bradford Council have now released more details about the development - including features being introduced to lower the building's carbon footprint.

Section of lost Bradford building to be refurbished as part of market plan

Green features of the new market include solar panels that will power lifts and escalators, smart meters and a heat recovery ventilation plant that will supplement a natural ventilation system.

The building’s lighting system will feature energy-efficient LEDs, lighting sensors and an energy management control system which will work in with the natural light systems to maximise energy savings.

And a smart rainwater harvesting system will minimise the waste water discharge by using weather data to determine optimum harvested water storage levels.

Two 4,500 litre flood prevention holding tanks will capture 9,000 litres of rainwater which will be used to flush the market’s toilets, which will include disabled and gender neutral toilets as well as women’s and men’s rooms.

The Council predicts the market will create around 400 jobs - including 157 jobs in construction and those created by new traders moving in, existing traders expanding their workforce and new businesses opening in the surrounding buildings.

The market will have three trading floors. Fresh produce will be sold on the upper ground floor and the top floor will include an open plan food court which will trade into the evenings to support the city centre's night-time economy.

The ground floor will contain non-food market stalls.

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The market includes space for 13 hot food and drink vendors with seating for 530 customers, an outdoor viewing balcony with seating and a stage for day and evening entertainment.

In front of the building, and linking Darley Street with Piccadilly, is a new market square will have eight large "umbrellas" for outdoor trading and seating for 66 customers.

The outdoor space is expected to host a range of cultural and entertainment events to this area of the city centre.

The rainwater capture system will also supply irrigation for the square which will be planted with trees, shrubs, and plants the Council says have been "selected to create a lush urban habitat for insects and birds."

Earlier this year an application to install stonework from the Victorian Kirkgate Market building in the public square was approved.

The engineers and architects behind the market scheme have integrated green transport into the design. Cycle storage facilities will provide space for six bikes and two 50Kw rapid charging electric vehicle points.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We have worked very hard to make this major project as green and efficient as possible.

“Not only does the technology embedded in the market significantly reduce any potential environmental impacts, it also cuts operating and energy costs.

“The market is just one of a number of initiatives where we are incorporating the latest green technology.

“These projects will all positively impact climate change and produce more pleasant healthy urban environments which everyone can enjoy.”