Boots should be on the ground in the first week of January for the construction of Bradford’s new shopping centre.

Developer Westfield ann-ounced this week that building would start on the site in the new year as preparatory groundwork comes to an end.

The company’s head of design and construction, Kevin Whitmore, has said people should start to see action on the gaping city hole and Bradford Urban Garden from Monday, January 6.

The temporary garden was created on the site after the downturn led the scheme to be mothballed. Now documents have been signed which mean the centre must be built.

Mr Whitmore said site-enabling works have been ongoing, including the clearing of vegetation and the establishing of site offices. Sub-contractor agreements are being drawn-up and orders for steel and steel decking have been made.

Early work will include putting hoarding around Bradford Urban Garden – created on part of the site in 2010 – so its removal can take place, starting on about January 13.

Mr Whitmore said: “You’ll start to see things picking up, boots on the ground as we call it.

“In the first week it will probably be a low number, but it will soon step up and we’ll reach in the order of 2,000 guys on site at its peak.”

Piling rigs are due on site around January 20 to drill holes in the basement, ready for the steel framework of the building.

Steel, ordered from Severfield-Rowen a Thirsk-based company, is due at the end of February.

“Before we do the steel, dotted around the build, we will have cores – concrete towers or shafts – and that’s where the lifts and staircases are located. They form an integral part of the stability of the building,” Mr Whitmore said.

Erecting the steelwork will be a “fairly lengthy process” followed by topping out, when the scheme reaches its highest point, before fitting steel decking to support concrete floors.

External walls will be built before the roof is added and if everything goes to plan, shopfitters are expected around July or August, 2015.

Highways works will also be done, working with Bradford Council. The news has been welcomed by business and political leaders in the city and was described as “a great relief to many” by Bradford Chamber.

The group’s members said they hoped the shopping centre’s development would be a catalyst for “so much more”.

President Paul Mackie said: “It’s good news that Westfield have confirmed that construction work will commence.

“Although the scheme is long overdue, it is still very much needed for Bradford city centre to continue its ongoing redevelopment.

“The last five years, since the onset of the recession, have been difficult for many businesses, Westfield included, and so now we look forward to working with them, the Council and others involved in delivering more business success to the city and the district.”

Bradford Property Forum chairman Jonathan Riley said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in Bradford, which will have an instant ripple effect.

“With Westfield committed, we’ll soon see other developers in the city who’ve been waiting in the wings crack on with complementary schemes around The Broadway. Bradford’s mission for 2014 is to build on this new momentum.”