THE latest blow to traders in the Oastler Centre market again raises the question of whether Bradford needs to urgently redraw its shopping centre map.

We have suggested in this column on several previous occasions that serious consideration should be given to moving the indoor markets down the hill to a site such as that occupied by the former Post Office delivery office at Forster Square or possibly, as some traders suggest, to Darley Street.

Traders hit out over car park plans

Meanwhile, Bradford markets need intensive support because of the drop off in trade they have suffered since Morrisons took the decision to close its Westgate store and with the drift of shoppers to the bottom half of the city with the opening of The Broadway.

Morrisons’ decision has led to Bradford Council putting a planned multi-million regeneration of the Westgate area on hold - much to the frustration of the traders at the Oastler Centre, many of whom now say they are struggling to make ends meet.

This market is an under-recognised gem that is possibly even unknown to many people and it needs to be made easier to visit.

Given its current location that means encouraging people to drive to it by car so the move to reduce the cost of parking at the Council-owned Westgate car park seems a sensible one, even though it is being introduced as the number of parking spaces are slashed with the closure of two floors due to the need for repairs. But this will only be a temporary fix. The Council must come up with a permanent strategy to allow the markets to prosper from the city’s retail resurgence - and soon.