The construction of Darley Street’s new multi-million pound market got underway today, following a 10-month demolition phase.
The destruction of the former M&S store started in May last year and has now been completed, meaning the project enters a new and exciting building period.
It is hoped that the huge three-storey development, being carried out by contractor Kier Group, will entice people to venture further up the city centre towards the 'top of town', regenerating footfall on Darley Street and surrounding roads.
READ MORE: See what the new Darley Street Market will look like
The Darley Street area has suffered from store closures and empty units since the Broadway Shopping Centre opened six years ago.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “I think it's going to be a real key element of how the city centre takes shape, particularly around Darley Street.
"Darley Street has been kind of the high street in Bradford for over 100 years but it's changed a lot now.
"We know there’s this gap between the bottom of town and the top of town, and we think the market sits nicely to give you that destination in the middle. We expect businesses to coalesce around this area.”
The £23 million pound development will have a space for non-food stalls, a fresh food court with space for 13 vendors, and a hot food court with seating for 530 people. In addition, it will have a stage for music and entertainment and an outdoor viewing balcony.
“We know city centres are changing, and we know that the pandemic has sped that up as well. People want culture, and leisure and entertainment, and the market will fall into that.”
Cllr Ross-Shaw said there will be an application process for vendors to take up a spot in the market, but he is “really delighted” with the response he has had so far.
“We put out a call for interested parties and we’ve had more than 200 registrations of interest from traders from all across Bradford, and places further afar like Leeds so there’s a huge amount of interest that this project can offer the city and district so we’re really excited about it,” he said.
The project is expected to be completed by July 2023, and senior construction manager, Jason Wood says that it is still on target.
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