Extra funding put towards Bradford's Darley Street Market scheme
The extra cost to the project hasn't been revealed
Last updated 19th Feb 2025
COUNCIL bosses have released extra funding for to delayed Darley Street Market scheme – although the extra cost was not revealed in public.
Bradford Council’s Executive agreed to the extra funding for the market, which had recently been budgeted at £31m, at a meeting on Tuesday.
But details of the extra money were discussed in a section of the meeting where public and press were excluded, with the Council arguing the publication of the extra costs could prejudice the Council’s ability to get the best financial deal for the work.
During the meeting it was revealed that the market’s food court is fully let, and would be a “new offer” for the city centre.
Dave Shepherd, Director of Place, said: “The traders will be the life and soul of the market, they are enthusiastic moving across and we’re in communication with them about their individual requirements.”
He said the costs for the fit out were proving to be higher than originally budgeted, and urged the Executive to release money from a “contingency fund” to help finish off the development.
Angela Blake, director. Economic. Development and Housing, said: “This was a project brought about to replace two life expired markets. It is a catalyst for regeneration and key for our city village moving forward.”
She said while the market building was completed in June, and the food court was almost completed – and all tenants now signed up – the two market floors still needed to be fitted out.
Keighley company RN Wooler has been appointed to fit out the stalls after speaking with the market’s traders.
Councillor Alex Ross Shaw, Executive for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “This is a really exciting project. It is disappointing news that it needs extra funding to get it over the line, but I recognise everyone is working round the clock to get this done.
“We don’t take putting papers in a private section of the meeting lightly – we feel transparency and accountability are key.
“The food court will be a new offer for the city centre, and the market square will be a fantastic asset.
“Other buildings on Darley Street are being refurbished and regenerated because of this scheme, and the Loading Bay (a new arts hub on Piccadilly) is opening soon, so it has facilitated a lot of regeneration already. We need this to move forward, it is the right project for Bradford.”
The press and public were then asked to leave the meeting.
The Executive approved the extra funding.
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the Conservatives on Bradford Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that in the private session of the meeting she questioned why there were different timescales for the fitting out of different floors.
She added: “Existing market stall holders are raising issues of continual reduction in existing footfall and the delays in moving that is really impacting on their businesses.
“Delay after delay and uncertainty is making life very difficult for existing stallholders and I asked about support for them.
“I also raised other markets, in particular Keighley Market, and how many stall holders feel forgotten about and abandoned by the Council who only want to focus on Darley Street.”