Work to town's market won't be completed until November 2025

A multi-million pound scheme to transform Shipley Market Square will see the existing fixed market stalls used by traders removed. A new canopy will be installed, with space created for “pop-up” stalls and town centre events.

The work is one of the flagship schemes for the Government’s Shipley Towns Fund – a £25m pot of cash to boost regeneration in the town.

Earlier this summer, it was announced that delays with the project meant it would not be completed until May 2025 – halfway through the district’s City of Culture year.

And this week, it has emerged that work will not even start until early next year – with a completion date of November 2025, when Bradford’s City of Culture year is drawing to a close.

Bradford Council has said the work will be phased, allowing the square to still host markets and events while work takes place.

Shipley Market (Image: T&A)

City of Culture events are expected to take place across many parts of the district, including Shipley, during 2025.

A lengthy wait for delivery of the paving material needed in the Market Square scheme has been given as one of the reasons for the lengthy delay.

The development, which will also see new green spaces created in the square, is being accompanied by work to re-open the town centre’s public toilets, which is due to begin in October.

Towns Fund projects are managed by the Shipley Towns Fund board – made up of local business leaders, Council officers and local politicians – including the Shipley MP.

Shipley Market (Image: T&A)

The board met on Monday morning when they were given an update on the market project and other Towns Fund schemes.

These meetings are private, and not open to the press or public. Shipley’s three elected councillors are not part of the board, and the Telegraph & Argus understands they have asked to be briefed on the latest on the market delays.

Minutes of Monday’s meeting posted online explained the delay by saying: “Contractor appointed for the paving supplies after delays due to procurement challenge.

“Delivery for paving materials is 12-16 weeks from when the order is placed.”

The minutes say the toilet block will re-open when work is completed in April 2025.

When asked for an update on the project, a Bradford Council spokesperson said: "The redevelopment of Shipley Market Square is a transformative project, which will benefit the town for decades to come.

“There will be more greenery and event space for people to enjoy. As part of these significant improvements, work is due to start on the redevelopment of the public toilets in October of this year.

“The wider work has unfortunately been subject to further delays.

“We anticipate that work on the Shipley Market Square redevelopment will now commence in early 2025 due to the required lead time for some of the materials, with anticipated completion in November 2025.

“We know how important this space will be to people and market traders for 2025 and we will be liaising with traders to ensure market days can still proceed where possible to cause minimal disruption.

“Work will be phased to allow markets and events to take place as much as possible during construction and the end result will be a fantastic space that will serve Shipley well for many years to come.”

New Shipley MP Anna Dixon (Lab) sits on the Shipley Towns Fund board, and attended the first meeting of the board since her election on Monday.

Asked about the market delay, she told the Telegraph & Argus: “I share in the disappointment about further delays to the redevelopment of Shipley Market. These delays are frustrating, but the redevelopment and improvements to Shipley town centre will be fantastic once completed.

“I look forward to seeing the work begin.

"I was pleased to attend my first meeting as a member of the Shipley Towns Fund Board. “There are several upcoming projects that will have a positive impact on our local community, such as the reopening of the Kirkgate Centre.

“Rejuvenating our local high streets is one of my top priorities, and as the local MP, I will push to ensure that all new projects deliver significant benefit to the community and wider area.”