THIS is how Darley Street could look after a proposed £21 million shake up of the city centre's markets.

The scheme will see the former Marks & Spencer building transformed into a new food market, with the existing Kirkgate Market focusing on non-food items.

The proposed design shows a significant glass frontage to encourage an open feel to the market and provide better links between Darley Street and Piccadilly, with a canopy over part of Darley Street to allow for more outdoor markets and trading.

It is due to open in 2021.

It is part of a major, £21 million project to transform Bradford's market service, that will also see the existing Oastler Centre closed, with the site cleared to make way for a proposed new "urban village" of family homes.

A report into the market plans will go to Bradford Council's Executive next Tuesday.

It reveals that footfall at the Oastler and Kirkgate Markets has plummeted in recent years, with Oastler particularly suffering from the closure of Morrisons.

The Oastler Centre attracted 2.9 million customers in 2013 which fell to 1.6 million by the end of last year. Kirkgate Market had 1.6 million customers in 2013, which fell to 1.2 million at the end of 2017.  Vacancy rates have also risen in that time. Oaster Centre currently has a 31 per cent vacancy rate, up from nine per cent in 2014, and Kirkgate Market's current vacancy rate is 35 per cent, up from 19 per cent in 2014.

The changes will lead to an overall reduction in the number of market stalls in the city centre.

The report says that because of this, traders will have to apply for new spaces in the market, with a panel of business figures deciding who will be allocated a stall.

The report says: "It is anticipated that there will a number of existing traders that will not transfer to the new markets. Those traders that still wish to continue trading will be supported by identifying other retail options in Bradford city centre or across the district."

The report adds: "The fresh food and food related goods offer should focus on providing opportunities for a diverse international fresh and hot food offer that reflects the socio-demographic profile of the district.

"The new market will seek to attract a wider customer base and to widen its appeal to a new demographic of shopper. It will be important that the market has the opportunity to trade throughout the day and early evening."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: "We hope the new image gives people a flavour of what the new market could look like. Creating a new market at the heart of Darley Street will be brilliant for Bradford. We have a great food offer in our district and our ambition is for it to be centre stage, in the heart of the city on a street associated with markets in Bradford for over a century.

“We believe that we already have a fantastic retail and shopping offer around the bottom of the town, including the Broadway Centre. The Master Plan, by revitalising the city centre at the top of the town, will ensure that the entire city centre provides a diverse, attractive and vibrant public environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.

“The new market will truly be for the people of Bradford and we want them to be involved in the journey. Consultation will be a key factor of both the Markets project and overall Master Plan, and will ensure that the views of residents and businesses will help contribute to the legacy and look of the city centre.”

Si Cunningham, Chair of Bradford Civic Society, welcomed the new proposals, saying: “I think the first artists’ impression of the new market looks pretty spectacular, and it’s exactly the sort of bold design solution that Bradford needs right now. "Covering part of Darley Street and better linking the site to Kirkgate is an inspired move, and should create an attractive public space.

"It looks like a market that’s fit for the future. I look forward to seeing how the plans develop and engaging with the council and markets team to ensure that the space meets the highest design standards.”

Greig and Stephenson, the architecture firm brought on to lead the design of the project, has previously been involved in the redevelopment of markets in London, Leeds and Sheffield as well as markets across Europe and the Far East. The designers have already undertaken feasibility studies and have prepared initial designs for the redevelopment of both city centre markets.

Representative from Greig & Stephenson, said: "We are proud and excited to be working with Bradford City Council on the new proposals for relocating the market. The project places the market as a key anchor for the regeneration of the city centre almost back to Kirkgate where the origins of the market can be found." 

Consultations will continue as the designs are being developed and the Council will arrange various stakeholder events to get the views of traders, shoppers and city centre businesses throughout the process and the views of stakeholders will be incorporated into the final designs.

It is anticipated that construction will commence in January 2020, with the market opening its doors in Easter 2021.