Bradford’s first official city centre Asian bazaar – sited in a former market – is set to open for business.

The Bazaar, which is at the Bradford Council-owned Rawson Market on Simes Street, has cost £200,000 to set up and will feature 150 stalls, a women-only beauty lounge and a tailoring service.

The site had lain empty since 2003 while the authority considered a number of uses for it.

Now, The Bazaar will open its doors next Saturday and director Hassan Ali cannot wait.

He said: “On Saturday, June 7, we will be holding a huge celebration event that will mark the return of The Bazaar to Bradford.

“It will include giveaways and prizes and a fun-packed day of celebrations including live music as well as activities that children will enjoy.

“It will be a festival atmosphere that we are looking forward to sharing with our customers.”

The Bazaar was originally on Cemetery Road, Bradford, from 2009 to 2012, but had to close because the site was developed by the owners for a new Asda store.

Mr Ali said: “The concept proved hugely popular and attracted thousands of visitors each week, not only from Bradford but from all over the country.

“We have been running the Bazaar in Leeds and Rotherham for the last few years, but we are so excited to be returning to our home city of Bradford where it all started in 2009.

“We promised our customers that we would not give up on Bradford and I am delighted that we have been able to fulfil that promise.”

The Bazaar is currently undergoing some finishing touches before the opening. Work started in April.

The first moves towards a city centre bazaar were made last September, as Council regeneration bosses praised the plan.

In January, a trial bazaar was held in the Rawson Market.

Councillor Mohammad Shabbir (Ind, Heaton) said a truly diverse bazaar could attract people from all over Bradford district, adding: “We can make our ‘unique selling point’ our diversity.”