LOCAL producers of food, crafts and arts will soon be given a chance to show their goods in a regular city centre market.

Made Bradford is the latest project designed to bring more shoppers to the Darley Street area of the city centre, and the first market will be held next month.

Stalls will be set up along Darley Street and Bank Street, both of which have recently suffered from empty units and decreased footfall, and focus on Bradford made goods.

It is hoped the markets will help draw more people who would normally stick to shopping in the Broadway Centre into the “top of town” area.

So far markets are planned for March 18 - during a day of activities for the Creative Streets event, and on April 29 and 30, when the city hosts the Tour De Yorkshire. They will run from 10am to 5pm.

The directors of Made Bradford are photographer Shy Burhan and designer Matt Lamont. It is hoped that once the market is established there could be up to six each year.

Helping establish the market is Jonathan Smith, who has set up specialist markets in Leeds. Bradford Council are also offering support and providing the stalls and gazebos.

Mr Smith said: “The council have been very supportive.

“There is a lot of great creative talent in Bradford, and the goal is specifically to attract producers, not people who are just buying in products to sell them on.

“We’ve spoken to quote a few people who might already have a presence in the city, but who might fancy giving a market a go to give them a different platform in a different part of the town.

“We want people who might never have traded before to take a stall and be able to get their products out there.

“It would be great to bring people who might normally trade in Leeds to try Bradford. There is a lot being done to encourage creative businesses in the city.

“We want to see how the first market goes and then there is real potential for growth. There does seem to be a growing sense of optimism in the city.”

Traders lined up for the first market include artists and food traders from the city’s indoor markets.

Miss Burhan said: “We want to get people coming into the city centre who wouldn’t normally come here. We know there are a lot of creative people who are passionate about the city centre, and want to bring back a sense of pride.”

Mr Lamont said: “We will be promoting it a lot on social media, and it will be showing the people of Bradford that these creative businesses exist in the city. It will be products you can’t just get in any shop.”

Any traders who would like a stall at the market can visit madebradford.co.uk for more information.

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