A MEXICAN food business, pie shop and artist will be joining a number of Bradford’s established traders in the new Darley Street Market.

Today Bradford Council announced the first of dozens of new traders who have signed up to the new market, which is due to open later this year.

It will replace the existing Oastler and Kirkgate Markets, and some of the first traders to be announced will be making the move from those markets.

Some of the successful traders were given a tour of the market site this week.

Traders that have been offered stalls at the market include Roswitha’s Deli, Priestley Fish, Taplins Butchers, Solly Fruits, Kammy’s Essentials and Tropikal Foods from Oastler Market, and The Jokeshop and Melting Moments from Kirkgate Market.

They will be joined by new traders Miski Mexican Food, local artist Joanna and Di’s Pies shop.  The traders are just 11 of those who the council has made initial offers to for the fresh food and non-food trading floors at the market.

The Council says response from businesses has been positive, and over 90 per cent of the stalls have been let.  Further offers are being made to businesses who have expressed an interest in the remaining stalls as well as other new businesses.   On the non-food floor there will be a range of products and services including health and beauty, gifts, shoe repairs, clothing and footwear, fabric, art and craft supplies, fresh and artificial flowers and two cafes.  

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The fresh food floor at Darley Street MarketThe fresh food floor at Darley Street Market (Image: Bradford Council)

The fresh food hall will have businesses offering fresh foods such as fruit and vegetables, traditional butchers, fresh fish and seafood, sweets and confectionary, traditional African and Mexican foods, delicatessen, cooked meats, spices, juices, cheese,  pies as well as artisan breads, bakery goods and health foods. 

The council intends to appoint an operating partner shortly to manage the food and beverage hall located on the top floor, which offers 13 kiosk type stalls and seating for up to 500 customers.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The food court at Darley Street MarketThe food court at Darley Street Market (Image: Bradford Council)

The trader selection process for this floor will take place with the new operating partner. 

The market will also incorporate an outdoor square for pop up trading, concerts and events

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Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “There has been a great deal of demand for stalls at the new market with lots of interest from existing Bradford Markets traders as well as new traders, including many from outside the district. 

“We’ve worked hard on the selection process to ensure that the new market has a great range of stalls with products that add real value to the retail mix. To get so much interest from businesses from across the North and the Midlands, is a real vote of confidence in Bradford’s future and Darley Street Market being one of the best markets in the North of England.” 

Neil Priestly from Priestley Fish currently at the Oastler Market, said: “I am looking forward to things being busier, and it will be a nicer environment. I have been in Oastler Shopping Centre since 2001, Priestley Fish has a stream of regular customers. Some people have been coming for many years and some come every week for the same order. But since people’s routines have been broken due to Covid that is getting less common and I think moving closer to the bottom end of town will see our stall welcome more footfall.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: New traders touring the under construction Darley Street MarketNew traders touring the under construction Darley Street Market (Image: Bradford Council)

Gunther Giangregorio from Roswitha’s Deli, said: “Roswitha’s Deli has been in the heart of the Oastler Market for 30 years, I am so excited to move to the new market and continue our market journey in a more city central shopping location. We have sold a dizzying variety of European staples inside Oastler for so long and the market holds so many good memories for our business but we have lots of exciting plans for our stall inside the new market and we look forward to seeing our deli evolve and grow with new and old customers.”  

Information about more of the traders at the new market will be released over the coming months.

A Council Spokesman said: “Traders unable to be accommodated in the new market will be supported by Bradford Markets to assist their search for alternative premises in the district.”