People are being reminded shops are still open in a city centre building that is shrouded in scaffolding.

Almost £1.5 million is being spent on essential improvements at Britannia House, one of Bradford Council’s key office buildings as a new boiler, lifts and windows are being installed.

Scaffolding still surrounds the building in order to replace the many windows, with the work expected to cost £1 million. A further £240,000 has been spent on a new boiler, and £210,000 has been set aside for three lifts to be replaced.

Signs and banners have gone up around the building stating ‘businesses open as usual’ to ensure customers continue to visit shops at street level.

The work at Britannia House is part of a Council programme to reorganise its office space, selling off buildings it no longer needs.

In the city centre, office accommodation will focus on three main buildings – City Hall, Britannia House and Jacob’s Well.

But the location of the scaffolding, which will need to stay in place until February, has been a source of some concern to businesses.