A leading retail expert has described the exterior of Bradford’s Kirkgate shopping centre as “absolutely disgraceful”.

John Bywater, managing director of Caddick Developments, was addressing members of the Bradford Property Forum on how to improve Bradford’s retail appeal.

He said the Kirkgate centre “brought a bit of fizz” to the city centre and was very attractive once shoppers were inside.

“But the outside is absolutely disgraceful,” said Mr Bywater.

“If you had any money, you would change the face of how it looks to the public. It’s dreadful.

“Until that’s addressed, you have got a long, long way to go.”

Mr Bywater said shoppers by nature were disloyal, brand-conscious and would travel to get what they wanted.

He said: “At the moment, the competition for Bradford is strong. Bradford’s brand is simply not strong enough. Five hundred years ago, it was the cathedral that defined a city’s status and now it’s the shopping centre, cathedrals of consumerism.”

He said the White Rose shopping centre, Birstall retail park, Meadowhall and Forster Square retail park all provided extensive choice for shoppers with the added benefit of free parking.

Work on the Kirkgate centre, then known as the Arndale, was completed in 1976. It was given facelifts in 1988 and 2001.