THE latest phase of Bradford’s £1.9million underground shopping scheme will open its doors over the Easter weekend.

The Sunbridgewells scheme, off Centenary Square, and built underneath Sunbridge Road, Upper Millergate and Ivegate, is being opened in two stages.

The first section of phase two, with an entrance on Ivegate, opens when the Rose and Crown Inn welcomes its first customers today.

The first phase of the project, which was originally due to open in late 2014, opened to the public in December last year. It includes the Wallers Brewery pub, a cocktail bar and a Laurel and Hardy-themed bar.

Graham Hall, of Yeadon-based developer Sunbridgewells, said he was pleased the latest part of the project, which will specialise in real ales, was now due to open.

He said: “It is a relief for the bar to be open. We have been working on it since Christmas.

“We will definitely be opening over the Easter weekend, hopefully on Good Friday.

“This will make it seven licensed bars in the complex. Every bar is themed in some way.

“The Rose and Crown will specialise in real ales.”

The Rose and Crown will have a 100-person capacity and feature a number of real ales from the district, including Saltaire Brewery.

An original wooden sign for the Rose and Crown Inn, dating back to the 1870s, was found during work to create the underground complex.

The sign, hand-painted by Bradford artist Thomas Forrest, was found in a loft last year.

“The old sign is up which will now make it one of the oldest pubs in Bradford,” said Mr Hall.

The second phase of the project will also include a juice bar and steakhouse, with a combined 100-person capacity, due to open later this year.

Phase two was originally expected to include a second site for The International restaurant, based in Morley Street. A vacant unit, previously a Toni & Guy hair salon, was to have been converted into a 60-seater restaurant. But those plans were revised.

The complex’s first phase includes bars and 14 shops, selling goods including sweets, coffee and women’s fashion. More shops are due to open later this year, when five lockable stalls begin trading.