Kirkgate Shopping Centre, a once award-winning retail landmark in Bradford, closed its doors for the final time on June 18, 2026. The closure marks the end of an era for the centre, which opened in 1976 as The Arndale Centre and at its peak housed 70 retail units, three department stores, and two pubs across 350,000 square feet.
Decline and Closure
In the weeks leading up to the closure, major retailers including New Look, Sports Direct, Boyes, and Pound Bakery either shut down or held clearance sales. When the Express visited on June 11, the centre was largely abandoned, with few shoppers and many empty units. The centre's decline accelerated over the past decade due to changing shopping habits, the rise of online retail, and competition from Bradford's Broadway Shopping Centre, which opened in 2015. Bradford Council purchased the site in 2022 as part of long-term redevelopment plans.
City Village Regeneration
The closure paves the way for demolition and redevelopment under Bradford Council's £15.5 million City Village regeneration scheme. The project will deliver around 1,000 homes, new green spaces, leisure facilities, and commercial opportunities. A council statement said: "The Kirkgate Shopping Centre... will make way for 400 new city-centre apartments alongside new public realm and green spaces." Work on demolishing the neighbouring Oastler Shopping Centre, which closed in June 2025, is set to begin summer 2026.
Impact on Independent Traders
The closure has hit independent traders hard. Natasha Akram, owner of Crazy Corn takeaway stall, had traded in Kirkgate for 19 years. She said: "We have no plan for what we are going to do next. We are hoping for a space at the Broadway... For a time, we will need to close." Carole Fewtrell, who ran a shop in Kirkgate for 27 years, moved to Darley Street Market but reported a significant drop in footfall. She described the housing plans as "horrible", adding: "We've had other markets in the city... the new ones never actually do very well."
Parking Concerns
Local shoppers also expressed worry about the loss of the centre's attached car park. Terri Miskell, visiting with her son, said: "People are concerned because once Kirkgate shuts down, they are going to have nowhere else to park." She noted that the nearest car park at Broadway is difficult to reach due to pedestrianisation.
Kirkgate Shopping Centre thanked customers and retailers in a Facebook post on June 12, stating: "We would like to sincerely thank all our customers, retailers, and the local community for your continued support." The centre closed at 5:30pm on June 18.
