THE £1.9 million Sunbridgewells underground complex will officially open to the public this weekend.

The complex, off Centenary Square and built underneath Sunbridge Road, Upper Millergate and Ivegate, will open in two stages.

SEE THE GALLERY OF PICTURES OF SUNBRIDGEWELLS BY BRADFORD PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

The long-awaited project, which was originally due to open in late 2014, will officially open its doors on Saturday, December 10, from 10am until 2.30am the following day. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Geoff Reid, will visit the site from noon. Entrance is free.

A VIP event will take place at the tunnels on Friday, December 9, from 7pm, featuring invited council officials.

A team of 40 people are working round the clock this week to complete the finishing touches and make sure it is ready for its opening weekend.

Graham Hall, of Yeadon-based developer, Sunbridgewells, said: “We will definitely be opening on Saturday.

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“It’s going to be exciting for the people of Bradford. It is absolutely unique.

“They will have a good time and realise what they have been missing all these years.

“It is steeped in so much history. There is something to look at wherever you go in here.

“It’s a one-night stop, you won’t need to go anywhere else.

“I’m grateful that it’s finally opening. It has all been privately funded. The tunnels will also help other city centre bars by bringing people into Bradford.

“People will be able to judge for themselves what they think about it when it opens and realise why it has taken so long.”

Developers revealed the cost of the project had risen by £1m to £1.9m after the space increased from 12,000 sq ft to 24,000 sq ft.

Its first phase will include 14 shops, selling items including sweets, coffee, T-shirts and ladies fashion.

The complex will also feature a Laurel and Hardy-themed bar, a tapas restaurant, a 1920s bar and a traditional-style pub, which will all open initially.

The complex also includes more than 500 antique pieces on display, many donated by Bradford Museums and Art Galleries, including signs for Bradford Park Avenue and road and railway signs.

The second phase of the project, featuring an Indian restaurant and pub called the Rose & Crown will open at a later, confirmed date.

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