Today marks eight years since The Broadway Shopping Centre opened its doors. 

The £260million development was opened by X Factor star and singer Alexandra Burke on November 5, 2015.

Thousands of people poured in as the doors of Bradford's The Broadway shopping centre were officially opened.

Miss Burke took to the stage to perform three songs, including her X Factor hit Hallelujah and a number from The Bodyguard, the touring musical show she brought to the Alhambra Theatre earlier that year.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The throng of shoppers on The Broadway's opening day

Community leaders also marked the pivotal moment in Bradford’s highstreet history by congregating at each entrance.

A spokesperson for The Broadway said: “Today is our 8th Birthday! We want to give a massive thank you to our amazing shoppers who have been shopping with us for 8 whole years!”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Singer Alexandra Burke cuts a ribbon at the opening of The Broadway. Joining her on the platform are left to right: Bradford Council leader David Green, George Walsh-Waring of Meyer Bergman, Marcus Meijer of Meyer Bergman, Peter Miller of Westfield and th

Speaking on the day of opening, then-Bradford Council leader Cllr David Green said: "I think the opening of The Broadway has had a massive effect on the confidence and belief of people in Bradford.

"People are beginning to wake up and believe in Bradford again. That is the biggest benefit that The Broadway's opening brings."

The milestone moment turned a page on a troublesome chapter of the city centre’s history.

Westfield took ownership of the 12-acre city centre site in 2004 but work was halted in February 2008, because of the financial crisis.

Work did not begin again until December 2013.

Speaking on the day of opening, Westfield chief operating officer for Europe Peter Miller told the assembled guests that the day's festivities were a "celebration of passion, perseverance and tenacity".

He said: "Council members and officers have stood by Westfield and enabled us to bring to fruition this major project through some of the darkest and the most challenging times, post the financial crisis and the recession that followed.

"It has been a long time coming but with the support of the council we have actually made this project happen when many other projects like this around the country have fallen by the wayside and have never been revitalised."

The retailers, which had been gearing up for opening day for months or even years, had laid on a host of events for their first customers.

VIP guests were given a sneak preview of the centre from 8am, with key figures making speeches from a temporary stage.

Miss Burke said it was a "real privilege and honour" to be opening The Broadway, adding: "It's something that, when I came to Bradford with The Bodyguard a couple of months ago, we were hoping this would be open back then."