Traders hungry for Bradford Darley Street Market move

Works continue on Darley Street Market, with its opening said to come later this year.

A wide array of traders from both Kirkgate Centre and Oastler Market are expecting to fill the 40 units available for businesses.

It is those moving across from the latter that have grown discontent with the numerous delays to the project.

The Oastler Shopping Centre will be demolished once Darley Street Market opens (Image: Newsquest)Last March, traders were told to wait until Spring 2024 to set up their stalls instead of the previous Autumn 2023 date.

With Spring now almost over, Bradford Council has said it is "working extremely hard" to ensure Darley Street Market is complete in time for its opening later this year.

Many units are already vacant (Image: Newsquest)Many traders expressed their frustration when the Telegraph & Argus visited Oastler Market.

Ash Mahmood runs Sollys with his father Khalid, who has been a grocer for 50 years.

He said: "We don’t know if we are coming or going. There has been a lack of communication.

"Fresh food is the busiest in this market but it has been challenging. Business has been down.

"We have given up hope (on the move). The process has been so slow.

"Everyone is on a low given footfall is so low.

Ash and Khalid Mahmood have run Sollys for years (Image: Newsquest)"We have spent a lot of money to get into the new market. 

"With lots of investment, comes risk. We are scared but excited at the same time."

Bradford Council was keen to say it has been in constant contact with traders informing them with email updates on the situation.

Jon Taplin, of the popular Taplins Butchers, added: "We have invested heavily in the move so we are looking forward to it. We don’t have a date yet.

Taplins Butchers can't wait to move into the new market (Image: Newsquest)"We have outgrown this place. This market is falling to bits."

The council has said traders have visited Darley Street Market to view their stalls.

Anis Rehman, who has traded in the Oastler Centre for the past 15 years, was happy with what he saw but can't deny the long wait has caused issues for his business.

He said: "Over the last year, trade has been down. The new market delay has really affected us. It has been very quiet.

Trader Anis Rehman likes the look of the new market (Image: Newsquest)"We are excited about the move. We have been in and it looks really nice. They have spent a lot of money on it."

It is not only the delay that is causing traders to struggle.

The mass roadworks in the city centre causing the bus routes to change has also proved problematic.

Last week, Bradford Council insisted it is working "as fast as possible" to end the current disruption.

The works in Bradford city centre (Image: T&A)Gunther Giangregorio, who runs Roswitha's Delicatessen, said: "The road closures and the changes to the buses have had a big impact.

"It has been tough for our older customers. They just can’t get up here."

​Gunther Giangregario is also ready for the move (Image: Newsquest)Another stall worker agreed: "We have been hit massively by what has happened with the buses.

"People have been unable to walk up. Some customers, especially those older, have been isolated by that."

Full Bradford Council statement

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: “We have been keeping traders informed with email updates and are always open for traders to contact us with enquiries, either in person at the Oastler Market or the Markets office, via email or via our website contact form.  

“All traders, both new and existing, (except one who’s on holiday) have visited Darley Street Market to view their stall(s) in readiness for meeting with our shop fitting out contractor. These meetings have also been taking place and will be concluded next week.

Darley Street Market is expected to open later this year (Image: Newsquest)“The shop fitting contractor is preparing detailed plans for their stalls, which will be presented to each trader in the next couple of weeks for approval.

“Once traders have approved and paid for the fit-out of their new stall, orders will be placed and a timetable for when the work to each stall will be completed will be shared with traders.

“We are working extremely hard with traders and contractors to ensure the stalls and internal fitting out works to Darley Street Market are completed in time for its opening later this year.”