A CHARITY that aims to transform empty city centre buildings into thriving arts hubs has set its sights on two prominent Bradford buildings.

In the past year Skippko helped facilitate the transformation of a vacant Baildon pub and the ground floor of the NCP car park on Hall Ings into community arts spaces.

Now the Yorkshire based group is aiming to do something similar with two empty shops in the Kirkgate Centre.

The group is in talks to turn the prominent unit on the corner of Kirkgate and Westgate that Costa Coffee vacated last year into a temporary gallery and another large unit, 50 Kirkgate, into a performance space and studio.

Skippko takes on empty buildings on temporary leases, providing an "in-between" use for them until permanent uses can be found. If buyers for the shops are found, the charity has a few weeks to vacate the units.

It is hoped that the new arts spaces will provide a welcome boost to Kirkgate, one of the city centre's main shopping streets, but one that has been plagued by closures in recent years.

The group also recently took on the former Premier food store on Sunbridge Road on a temporary lease. Initially healthy living charity Hale was based there, and it is currently being used as a studio by local artist Tim Curtis.

Arthur Stafford, director of Skippko, said: "We see the potential in empty spaces, and we help local artists or organisations kick start things. Because we are a charity we don't have to make money out of these spaces, so it gives us a bit more freedom. We are constantly looking at different empty spaces, and we pick spaces we can see potential in. When you first see a space you get an idea of how it will work. When we saw the Costa we thought it would make a fantastic exhibition space with all the windows."

Cath Brooke, Arts Project Manager, said: "With a lick of paint and a bit of a tidy up it will be a great space for artists to show their work. It is quite difficult for artists to get their work shown in established galleries. This will be a great chance for artists to give their work some exposure in a great space."

Mr Stafford said the other unit, 50 Kirkgate, would be an "amazing" live arts venue.

Last year another charity, literacy group The Global Education Trust, moved into a unit in the Kirkgate Centre, facing Darley Street.

Catherine Riley, centre manager, said: “Skippko is a great arts company and we think their work with the local community is inspiring. Encouraging children to get creative is something that should be highlighted and we’re happy to welcome them into Kirkgate Shopping to carry on their work. Using our space to help local charities such as Skippko and the Global Education Trust is something we love to do and helps us get more involved with the Bradford community.”