BRADFORD'S new Coroner's Court is now officially in use following the multi million pound refurbishment of a Little Germany building.

The court is moving from its previous home - a section of Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court building in City Park, to the much more grand Cater Building.

But despite the project, estimated to have cost as much as £4.3m, being one of the biggest regeneration schemes to be completed in the city since the pandemic, the facility opened with little fanfare.

The move was briefly mentioned at an inquest last week, and the opening was raised during a meeting of Bradford Council's Executive on Tuesday.

Bradford Council is responsible for the Coroner's service in the District, and has funded the new facility.

Keighley company chosen to develop new Coroner's Court in Little Germany

In 2016 HM Senior Coroner, Martin Fleming spoke about the “inadequate” existing court, which requires grieving families to pass through metal detectors, have their bags searched and mix with defendants in criminal cases before the inquest begins.

The new court features much improved facilities, as well as high tech IT systems.

It will also be used for Calderdale and Kirklees cases.

The work to convert the building, formerly part of a University Digital Health Enterprise Zone, was carried out by Keighley company R N Wooler & Co.

At a meeting of Bradford Council's Executive on Tuesday Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "I went on a visit to the coroner's court last week, it looks great. It will provide great facilities for families of our District who have had to deal with sub standard facilities for too long."

The Telegraph & Argus has contacted Bradford Council for more details on the finished court, but has yet to receive a response.