Kirkgate Centre demolition 'a case of history repeating itself'

On Monday evening, Bradford Council announced it had purchased the 1970s shopping centre for £15.5 million.

Anchor tenant Primark will be moving into the former Debenhams unit in Broadway in the coming years. When it does, the centre will be demolished to make way for green space and housing.

The Kirkgate centre as it looks today

Alan Hall, Vice Chairman of Bradford Civic Society, reflects on the history of the Kirkgate site in light of Monday’s huge announcement.

He said: “You might struggle to find a site in Bradford more symbolic of the city’s changing tastes than the block currently occupied by the brutalist Kirkgate shopping centre.

“The recent news that it will soon be demolished as part of grand city centre regeneration plans may have come as a surprise to some, but others will wryly note is a case of history repeating itself.

The inside of the old Kirkgate Market (Image: newsquest)

“Bradfordians of a certain vintage will always lament the loss of the city’s grand Victorian market, splendidly constructed to the grand designs of Lockwood and Mawson, which itself fell foul of the wrecking ball in the 1970s to make way for today’s shopping centre.

“But our Victorian predecessors were equally ruthless in their pursuit for change, themselves flattening pleasant enough earlier buildings to construct their gothic trading palace.

“And now here we are again. Bradfordians, it would seem, have long fallen out of love with a brutalist landmark that has struggled with empty units and dwindling footfall since The Broadway opened in 2015.

“Although the then-Chairman of Bradford Civic Society was scathing in his assessment of the new Kirkgate Centre in 1975 – describing it as “gaunt and bulky” and noting that the building gave the illusion of a much narrower Darley Street – it would be unkind to say that Kirkgate has never been loved. For many decades, it was a sought-after destination, fully occupied with high street shops and a bustling market.

Inside the old Kirkgate Market (Image: newsquest)

“Bradfordians old and young will recall fondly late night shopping trips on a Thursday where you’d struggle to move through the crowds; Saturday mornings working in Littlewoods; fry-ups in the busy market cafs.

“The building itself is not without its fans too, particularly among those with a taste for brutalism, and efforts should surely be made to salvage elements of the site such as the striking William Mitchell murals inside the market for display elsewhere.

“But, to be as brutal as Kirkgate slabs of concrete that tower over central Bradford, it simply isn’t fit for purpose in a fast-changing place like Bradford.

“There isn’t a town or city in the UK that is struggling with retail over-supply right now, and the days of a central business district enjoying multiple branches of the same shop are all but gone.

"Bradford will breathe a sigh of relief when it is able to successfully consolidate all its high street offer into one modern, flexible space, and free-up our beloved heritage buildings for independent shopping, food, drink and, of course, culture.

“The Council’s plan is commendable in its simplicity, and will be further bolstered by the arrival of the new city market on Darley Street and Bradford Live in 2023 – both of which will bring new visitors to BD1.

“There must also be a note of caution when it comes to what replaces the concrete Kirkgate site, and although more green space is a welcome and obvious choice, it should be of the highest standard and well managed, much like City Park.

“And despite the laudable push for more active and public transport serving the city centre, it can’t be denied that there will always be a need for some car parking, and the basement of the current Kirkgate site may well be a neat way to accommodate car-drivers using the new market or the top of town.

“New housing is also an obvious and welcome proposal but, again, must enhance and serve Bradford city centre, rather than turning it into a dormitory for Leeds.

“Many Bradfordians will be excited by what’s to come next, some may be concerned about repeating past mistakes. Whatever people’s views, we hope there is healthy public debate and meaningful consultation when it comes to the next chapter of this city’s fascinating history.”