THE regeneration of Bradford’s city centre is gathering pace, with Darley Street set to be revitalised with a new "city square". It would feature a food market and Piccadilly's Victorian architecture on view to the public.

Assistant Director of Estates and Property at Bradford Council, Ben Middleton, confirmed the plans in an executive meeting at City Hall yesterday.

The scheme would allow more events to take place on the public realm in Bradford city centre, see 8 and 10-14 Darley Street razed to make way for a public square and link both Broadway and Piccadilly to the markets and city centre.

Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "More open space is really needed in Bradford and the plans would give us a connection between Broadway and Kirkgate.

"A city never stops regenerating and we want to make ourselves a destination that people want to visit, work in and live in."

“There has been a 150 per cent increase of people living in the city centre and getting people to live here, rather than have to park or travel in is more sustainable.”

Executive Member for Regen, Planning & Transport, Alex Ross-Shaw added: "Traditional retail is a shrinking business and we've got to move on from that and ask ourselves how to make the most of our open spaces.

“We want the markets to have every chance to succeed and there are so many benefits to this scheme, not least that outdoor markets were the original space for entrepreneurs.

"Piccadilly's architecture will also be reopening and we can put those buildings into modern use.

"Bradford city centre is modern, diverse and everyone mixes. People are excited by this new scheme as City Park established that people want more public space."