NEW images of the under development Darley Street Market have been released, as Bradford Council begins to complex to future traders.

And they offer the first glimpse of what the inside of the market, including its food hall, will look like.

The £23m market will be built on the site of the former Marks & Spencer and neighbouring units on Darley Street. Much of the building has been demolished, with construction of the market to begin this year. It is expected to open in Summer 2023.

The city centre’s existing markets, Oastler Market and Kirkgate Market in the Kirkgate Centre, will close once Darley Street Market opens.

As well as the new market building, a new city square will be built on the site.

The new market was proposed as a way of boosting Darley Street, which has suffered from store closures and empty units since the Broadway Shopping Centre opened six years ago.

The three floor building will include non food stalls on the ground floor, a fresh food floor on the upper ground floor, and a hot food food court on the upper floor, with seating for 530 people.

The food court, which has space for 13 vendors, will open until the evening, with the hope of kickstarting the night time economy. It will also have a stage for music and entertainment and an outdoor viewing balcony.

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The 500 capacity city square would have seating for 66 people and umbrellas for outdoor trading. The Council says the square will also host “a range of cultural and entertainment events.”

A Council spokesman said: "Strategically located in heart of the city’s central shopping area, the new Darley Street Market has been designed to be a light, airy and modern retail space and is packed with energy and environment saving features including smart heating, lighting and ventilation systems, rainwater capture technologies and green transport facilities."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We’re very pleased and excited to launch the new opportunities at our flagship Darley Street Market.

“We are looking for passionate independent retailers who represent the best of Bradford district and beyond who can share our vision for the market and offer high quality goods and services in order to make it one of the best markets in the North of England.”

Interested retailers should register their interest by applying online at www.bradfordmarkets.com.

They will then be sent further information on the new market and details on how to apply when the stall application pack is announced in spring 2022.