Bradford's biggest indoor shopping centre was in the hands of a new owner today after contracts were finalised and signed in a multi-million pound deal.

And as The Mall Corporation took over the Kirkgate shopping centre, shopfitters moved in to begin the refurbishment of its biggest store.

Littlewoods closed 80 of its stores across the country on New Year's Eve, including the Bradford branch.

But there is a hive of activity behind the boarded up windows today as shop fitters strip floors, move partitions and create new counters and shelves for a new tenant.

Fashion store Primark is understood to be creating a store with less storage and more floor space ready for a big launch in summer.

The 35 Littlewoods staff have been offered interviews but many have opted for redundancy packages.

The Kirkgate Centre, above, with its 65 shops, has been refurbished at a cost of £5.5million in recent years and owned by Prudential for 17 years.

New owner the Mall Corporation owns 24 other British shopping centres worth £2.78 billion and aims to own 30 within two years.

During the last week of December, the number of visitors to the Kirkgate centre increased to 18 per cent and a spokesman said it had been buoyant subsequently.

Centre manager Catherine Riley said there were no job losses as a result of the change of ownership.

Chairman of Bradford city centre steering group Councillor Simon Cooke said: "It's good news for the city and I am sure the Kirkgate Centre will continue to be a good centre."