Kirkgate Shopping Centre, a once award-winning retail hub in Bradford, will close its doors for the final time on Thursday, June 18. The closure marks the end of an era for the 1970s shopping centre, which has been a landmark in the city for over five decades.
Final Countdown to Closure
The centre will cease trading at 5:30 PM, with its car park closing an hour later. Major retailers such as New Look, Sports Direct, Boyes, and Pound Bakery have already vacated or are clearing stock. The Express visited on June 11 and found the centre largely empty, with most units shuttered and only a few visitors using it as a thoroughfare.
From Peak to Decline
Opened in 1976 as The Arndale Centre, Kirkgate once boasted 350,000 square feet of retail space, 70 units, three department stores, and two pubs. It won a European award in 1979. However, changing shopping habits, online retail growth, and competition from the Broadway Shopping Centre (opened 2015) led to its decline. Bradford Council bought the site in 2022 for redevelopment.
Impact on Independent Traders
The closure has hit independent traders hard. Natasha Akram of Crazy Corn, a takeaway stall that operated in Kirkgate for 19 years, had its last day on June 13. She said, "We have no plan for what we are going to do next. We are hoping for a space at the Broadway. We are small, but we are growing. Many customers still come here, and it's really sad for them as well."
Carole Fewtrell, who ran a shop in Kirkgate for 27 years, moved to Darley Street Market last year. She expressed doubt about surviving her three-year lease: "I don't know if it's a change in shopping habits or the fact that we've only been here a short period of time, but once someone starts relying on a different place, they don't tend to come back." She described the redevelopment plans as "horrible."
Community Concerns
Local residents are worried about the loss of parking. Terri Miskell, visiting with her son, said, "People are concerned because once Kirkgate shuts down, they are going to have nowhere else to park. What they should do instead is turn it all into parking." She noted that the nearest car park is at the Broadway, but it's difficult to reach due to pedestrianisation.
Redevelopment Plans
The site will be demolished as part of the £15.5 million City Village regeneration scheme, which will deliver around 1,000 homes, green spaces, leisure facilities, and commercial opportunities. The Oastler Shopping Centre, which closed in 2023, will also be demolished for 64 townhouses. Bradford Council's Cllr Andrew Judson said the project balances retail with quality housing and public spaces, pointing to the "thriving" Darley Street Market as proof of progress.
Simon Dew of ECF, the development manager, acknowledged the closure as a "milestone moment" and emphasised working with the council to honour the area's heritage while creating a sustainable city centre neighbourhood.
