A cherished shopping centre that has served as a focal point of a major UK city for nearly five decades is preparing to welcome its last visitors over the coming days before being cleared to make way for a significant regeneration project.
Kirkgate Shopping Centre Closure Date Set
Kirkgate Shopping Centre in Bradford is reportedly set to shut its doors for good on June 18, ahead of demolition work linked to the city's ambitious City Village scheme. The redevelopment will transform the site into a new residential quarter featuring roughly 1,000 homes, along with green spaces and commercial areas, at an estimated cost of around £15.5 million.
The closure signals the end of an era for a retail venue that first opened its doors in 1976 and was once considered one of the city's most notable shopping destinations. At its peak, the complex was home to dozens of shops and became recognised for its striking brutalist design.
Retailers Already Closing
In recent weeks, evidence of the approaching closure has become more apparent, with a number of retailers already having shut up shop, while others have launched clearance sales. Fashion retailer New Look shut its branch for the last time on Monday, with a notice in the window stating: "Thanks for having us, Bradford. This store will be closing on Monday, 8th June."
Notices outside the Sports Direct shop urged customers to snap up remaining stock with a 20% off sale. Pound Bakery shut its doors on Saturday (June 6), while Boyes appears to have already been cleared of its stock, reports the Express. Get Free Books shop currently displays a notice on the door stating: "Due to the planned demolition works to and from the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, we are sorry to have to announce the charity shop's closure. 13th June 2026 will be our last trading day."
Broader City Centre Transformation
The closure comes as Bradford undergoes a broader transformation of its city centre. The launch of the Broadway shopping complex in 2015 shifted much of the city's retail activity, while evolving shopping habits and the rise of online retail have posed difficulties for older shopping centres across the UK.
Despite the redevelopment proposals, the centre's closure has triggered an emotional response from many locals who recall Kirkgate during its prime. One commented: "Just another nail in the [city's] coffin. Bradford is finished as a city centre shopping place." Another criticised the housing development, saying: "I still think building homes on this land is an absolutely stupid idea!"
A Bradford Council spokesperson said back in April: "We know there will be some affection for the Kirkgate Centre, it has been part of our city centre for decades. However, towns and city centres have been changing across the country for many years now and we started remodelling our city centre due to the seismic shift in retail trends some time ago. City centres now need much more than retail."
The Express has reached out to Kirkgate Shopping Centre for comment.
