The sad news that Superdrug is to close its store on Broadway in Bradford means that there will be only four units operating out of a possible 12 on the street.

It is a move that once again highlights the need for an early start date for the Westfield Broadway development.

Every indication points to work finally getting under way in the next six months, but the dereliction of Broadway the street stands as a stark warning as to why it is so important that the development finally starts this year.

Bon Marche, Greggs, HMV and the Timpson’s kiosk continue to hold out, but will they still be there by the time Westfield finally opens?

As this paper reports today, there are a number of factors affecting the High Street, including the growth of online shopping, and the fact that there is another Superdrug just 500 metres away has also had some bearing on this latest closure.

But as we also report today, there remains a strongly committed loyal band of shoppers in Bradford that will continue to use the High Street.

And the art pop-up shops which have sprung up in empty premises in the city are a welcome short-term fix for the empty units.

But the arrival of Westfield is surely the spark that Bradford city centre is waiting for.

There have been false dawns before, but with key stores now in place it seems the development is close to beginning.

Let us hope it is soon enough to preserve the remaining traders on the beleaguered Broadway and to breathe life into other struggling streets in the city.