March 28, 2024

Vibrant new city square for Bradford

Bradford Council Executive is set to approve proposals to create a major new public space supporting the development of the Bradford city centre markets.

Initial plans to develop a market in the former M&S building have now been expanded to include 8 and 10-14 Darley Street.

The extra space will allow the food market to face onto the dynamic new public space which will host outdoor markets and specialist open air events bringing more people into the city centre and adding to Bradford’s draw as a shopping and leisure destination.

The additional land will allow the food market to be larger and provide dedicated underground servicing for deliveries and storage facilities. It will also increase the visibility of Piccadilly, which is home to a number of high quality Victorian buildings.

It will make Piccadilly more desirable for redevelopment, particularly for residential uses in the heart of the redeveloped city centre.

A Council Executive Report recommends the authority negotiates purchasing properties adjacent to the former M&S building and has requested approval for Compulsory Purchase Orders which could be used if needed.

Coun Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We want to create a vibrant and attractive transformational public space on Darley Street, which will support the new food market but also transform Darley Street and showcase the fantastic Victorian buildings on Piccadilly by making them a lot more visible.

“This project will help redefine the city centre and make the top of town a lot more attractive and easier to get to. To be able to create a new public space in the heart of the city centre is a fantastic opportunity and we’re really excited to consult with people on how it will look and what sorts of activities they’d like to see there.”