BRADFORD'S old Marks & Spencer building has nearly gone as work progresses on the new Darley Street Market.

The £23m market will be built in the place of the building on Darley Street, once Bradford's main shopping street, and is expected to open in 2023.

Contractors arrived on site in April to begin demolition of the buildings - work that is likely to last until the end of the year.

The market will replace the city centre's two existing markets, while Kirkgate Market in the Kirkgate Shopping 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.

Bradford Council shared this picture today and said: "The old Marks & Spencer is nearly gone and the demolition on site is really progressing.

"Darley Street Market is going to start to take shape before we know it, such an exciting time for the city centre. Soon it will be full of people, activities, traders and community events."

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.

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.