THE former Marks and Spencer site in Bradford has been highlighted in an inaugural report analysing the use of department store properties.

The report undertaken by Nexus Planning, found that across the UK and Ireland over three-quarters are now occupied or have planning applications pending – revealing a more positive side to the tide of closures which have dogged the retail industry.

It also looked at occupancy activity from 2015 to autumn 2021 in 917 department store locations, including now defunct Debenhams and BHS, which accounted for 347 properties.

In 2015, Yorkshire and the Humber had 62 department stores, and in Bradford one of those mentioned was the former Marks & Spencer site in Darley Street which will make way for a three-storey market building with public square.