Darley Street Market handed over to Bradford Council

The Council confirmed yesterday that contractor Kier had completed the build phase on Darley Street Market, paving the way for the fit-out stage to start.

The highly-anticipated market will feature three storeys for stalls and food outlets, as well as a public events space. 

Inside the new Darley Street Market (Image: T&A)

It was previously stated the venue would open in autumn 2023 - but this was pushed back to spring 2024, then later this year.

The Council previously told the Telegraph & Argus that the market had a long waiting list of traders - but some asked not to move over the busy Christmas period.

The T&A asked the Council this week when it expected the venue would open to the public and was told it would "unfortunately" not be before Christmas - with a formal launch date yet to come. 

The frame of the building being constructed in 2022 (Image: newsquest)

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "Following the practical completion of the construction works the project has now moved to the fitting out stage which includes several activities, including the fitting out of each stall. 

"Once traders have approved the stall works, a timetable will be produced by the fitting out contractor. This will enable the council to formally announce the date for the opening of Darley Street Market. 

"We are working hard with contractors and traders, but as we have said previously, unfortunately the market will not now open before Christmas. Traders have asked that we do not disrupt their Christmas trading and prefer to start the process of relocating their business to Darley Street from January next year."

How construction work looked last year (Image: YouTube)

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, described Darley Street Market as a "state-of-the-art building, which will be enjoyed by people from across the district and beyond".

Dan Doherty, regional director of Kier north and Scotland, added: "I look forward to seeing the market and local area flourish once it is completed."

The original budget for the market was £23.5 million - but this then increased to £27m, with the Council blaming high inflation rates.

Earlier this year, the authority pumped another £1.4m into the scheme after it emerged the original plan of finding a third-party operator to run the food hall had fallen through.

The Council’s markets team will now run the hall - a change that required extra money.

The project was given the go-ahead in 2019 and work on-site began in 2021 with the demolition of several properties, including the former Marks & Spencer building.