WEST Yorkshire’s Mayor has signed a steel support beam to mark the latest stage in the construction of a new city centre market.

In a modern take on civic dignitaries laying a cornerstone of a significant building, the beam at Darley Street Market was signed on Friday by the Tracy Brabin as well as Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport.

Markets Manager at Bradford Council, Colin Wolstenholme, David Wilson and Gary Wintersgill, representing the construction company Kier also signed the structure.

Over 260 potential traders have expressed interest in moving to the market, which is being built on the former Marks & Spencer site.

The signed beam will be lifted and bolted to the steel frame of the new £23m market building – which is due to open next year.

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The demolition phase of works at Darley Street Markets ended in April and the new con-crete foundations and forming of the two concrete lift cores have also been completed. Works have begun to install the new structural steel frame of the building at the north end of the site in readiness for the first of the solid core precast concrete floor planks and staircases arriving at the end of September.

The new market will have three trading floors each specialising in non-food, fresh and hot foods.

The top floor will house an open plan food court for 13 hot food and drink vendors with seating for over 500 customers, an outdoor viewing balcony.

A new market square will also be created for outdoor trading, and there will be a large outdoor screen and a stage for day and evening entertainment.

The new market is being built by Kier and will replace the Oastler and Kirkgate Markets.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “The new market on Darley Street and repurposing and revitalising the Top of Town area, creating the City Village, are key elements in plans to make the city centre a greener, healthier, vibrant, modern, attractive and sustainable place that will continue to be the economic core of the district.”

Ms Brabin said: “It’s safe to say that the new Darley Street Market is going to be a huge asset for the city. It’s an exciting time to live and work in the Bradford district and be-coming the UK’s City of Culture in 2025 will lead to even more opportunities. I cannot wait for the Bradford Live venue to open.”

Prospective traders have until September 18 to register their interest, and can visit the Bradford Markets website to make their application.