One of Bradford's biggest regeneration projects has taken a major step forward with a key appointment.

Bradford Council has selected Kier to deliver the £21 million market redevelopment programme on Darley Street.

The project will involve the demolition of a number of vacant stores which will be replaced with a new multi-storey food market building and a public square to connect Piccadilly and Darley Street, providing better links between the two. This will provide the city centre with modern market facilities and forms part of a wider strategy to help support local trade and revitalise the area.

To accommodate the sloped site, the markets will be accessed on two ground floors. The lower ground floor will be accessed from the market square, and the upper ground floor can be accessed from Darley Street. The façade will have large glazed elements to encourage an open feel to the market and maximise visibility.

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Work will begin on site in late spring 2020 and is due for completion in 2022.

Phil McDowell, operations director at Kier Regional Building Northern, said: "This vital regeneration project is the largest to be undertaken in Bradford and will provide a dynamic, vibrant and diverse shopping location for visitors. We're thrilled to be appointed as preferred bidder to work with Bradford Council and are committed to delivering a project that benefits the community, whilst also acknowledging the heritage and history of Darley Street as a historic market street."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, added: "With our recent announcements on working with Muse Developments for One City Park and Morgan Sindall for Forster Square station, this really shows that momentum is building in Bradford with some fantastic projects all moving forward at pace."

(CM/MH)