UNACCEPTABLE delays to the refurbishment of a market square will mean work is still going on for a huge chunk of Bradford’s City of Culture year.

A multi-million pound project to improve Shipley’s Market Square will see existing fixed market stalls removed.

The site would still be used for the town’s regular market, but “pop up” stalls would instead be located under a large canopy in the centre of the public space.

More green spaces will be added to the square, and it is hoped it will be used for performances and other events.

The scheme is being partly funded by the Shipley Towns Fund, and planning permission was granted earlier this year.

But new documents show that the work is not due to start until August, and will not be completed until May 2025.

The delays have been blamed on the rising costs of materials.

In 2025 Bradford District becomes the UK’s City of Culture, with events planned across Bradford’s towns and villages as well as the city centre.

It has also emerged that work to re-open the town’s public toilets – which are on the Market Square, will not begin until October, despite plans being approved months ago.

The minutes say the toilet project has also been subject to “cost escalation.”

At the most recent meeting of the Shipley Towns Fund Board, members were told of the timescale, and some raised concerns that work in the town centre could disrupt Shipley’s role in City of Culture.

The board is made up of local business leaders, Bradford Council officers, some Councillors and the local MP, which at the time of the June meeting was Sir Philip Davies.

Shipley MarketShipley Market (Image: T&A)

Its meetings are not held in public, and details of what is discussed can only be gleamed from published minutes.

The minutes for the last meeting refer to the market scheme by saying: “Planning approved and expected start date is August 2024 and completion in May 2025, with a phased approach expected once a contractor has been appointed.

“The board questioned whether the scheme would impact traders, plus visitors during the City of Culture year as the delays in starting and completion may have an impact on traders and the community.

“MR confirmed that a Liaison Officer would be appointed by the Contractor to implement an engagement strategy and agreed that the delays were unacceptable.

“The board queried assurances regarding further slippages, which MR confirmed would be addressed as part of the tender process, where the contract award is based on delivery within the agreed timescales.”

The minutes only give initials of speakers, but it is believed that MR refers to Michelle Rushworth – Regeneration Manager at Bradford Council.

The Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council for more detail on the delays.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “While the works to improve Shipley town centre are under way, we will be liaising with traders to ensure market days can still proceed where possible. Work will be phased to allow markets and events to take place as much as possible during construction. Once the work is complete Shipley will have a fantastic new town centre square, with more greenery and event space for people to enjoy.

“Increasing costs of materials, as a result of escalating shipping charges, have contributed to delays to the process. The tender for the Market Square scheme is now live with the expectation a contractor will be appointed in August, when a start date will be agreed. “The refurbishment and construction of the toilets will begin once Yorkshire Water have conducted some necessary sewage and water diversion works, with the expectation that this will commence in October of this year.”

The plans for the square say the work will turn it from a “dated and unremarkable” market to a “contemporary and adaptable space, suitable for events and pop-up market stalls.”

The plans added: ““The outdoor market is to the north of the site, this is under-utilised and in need of refurbishment.

“With its dated urban format, Shipley Market Square is in need of regeneration.”

The Shipley Towns Fund is a £25m scheme by the Government to boost the regeneration of the town – with the Market Square works being one of the key projects.