A MEMBER of staff at a large Bradford city centre store has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Primark store in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre is the latest place to be hit by the virus, after the Vodafone store in The Broadway suffered a similar fate last week.

Yesterday morning, a Primark spokesperson confirmed the news, before adding that its Kirkgate branch would remain open, however, although "all required measures" are being followed in an effort to keep staff and customers safe.

The spokesperson said: "We can confirm that an employee in our Bradford store has tested positive for COVID-19.

"Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our customers and employees, and we have detailed contingency plans in place in case one of our employees tests positive.

"In line with these plans, we have informed the public health authorities and we have followed all required measures to protect the safety of all our colleagues and customers."

Last week, it was confirmed that an employee at the Vodafone store in The Broadway had tested positive for COVID-19, causing the shop to shut and forcing its staff members to self-isolate.

Following Vodafone's temporary closure, Ian Ward, General Manager at The Broadway, said: “The health and safety of all staff and customers continues to be of utmost importance and we will implement all necessary measures to ensure this.”

A cafe in Bingley was also forced to close its doors last week due to the virus.

A staff member at the Five Rise Locks Cafe tested positive for COVID-19, prompting a spokesperson from the cafe to say: "We must protect staff and customers, therefore until all staff have been tested and given the all-clear the cafe will unfortunately remain closed."

Last month, two banks in Bradford city centre were also affected by coronavirus.

Halifax and Yorkshire Bank were both forced to close last month for deep cleaning.

A staff member at Halifax, on Bridge Street, had tested positive for the virus, while an employee at Yorkshire Bank had reported feeling unwell.

Nearby Specsavers also had a worker test positive for COVID-19 just under a month ago, with all customers who came into contact with the staff member being alerted to the news.

Trevor Higgins, Chief Executive of Bradford Breakthrough, hopes that businesses across the district can still flourish despite coronavirus, but has urged them to take caution and follow all government guidelines.

"I think it's important that we get people back into work because that's the economic future of Bradford and it will benefit the local economy and the local GDP", he says.

"But - and this is not being critical of any business where someone has tested positive - it's important that businesses follow all instructions and observe social distancing rules and, if someone does test positive, they must also follow instructions on track and trace to protect customers and staff.

"Businesses closing, especially in Bradford city centre, has a knock-on affect on everything, so it's important that we get back to work, but we must take every precaution possible."