City centre loses TWO historic markets in one day but shoppers only have to wait two weeks for swanky replacement

The Sun

18 hours ago

A CITY centre has lost two historic markets in one day but shoppers only have to wait two weeks for a swanky replacement.
This weekend marked the final day of trading for stallholders at the Kirkgate and Oastler markets in Bradford.
3
3
Both markets shut on Saturday, June 28 and some traders have been offered stands at the new Darley Street Market.
The historic Kirkgate Market opened in the 19th century and Oastler Market in the 1930s.
Both have been important destinations over the years before online shopping saw a downturn in footfall.
The old sites will eventually be demolished to make way for 1,000 new homes as part of a regeneration scheme.
But after seven years Darley Market will open next month on July 12 and 13 after the scheme was first approved in 2018 by Bradford Council.
The new market will feature spaces for eating, drinking, live entertainment in addition to traditional stalls.
Some traders, such as the fishmongers, butchers, greengrocers and the iconic Roswitha's deli will be moving to the more modern market.
People could be seen visiting Kirkgate and Oastler for the final time as they took photos around the long-standing sites.
It's a historic juncture in Bradford city centre's constantly evolving story.
Traders could be seen speaking with customers about what the next chapter might hold and enquiring whether they would be moving to the new market.
Kamran Ali, 35, has repaired watches at Finesse Jewellers for 12 years.
Based in Kirkgate Market, the jewellers has traded there for more than three decades but will now move to Darley Street.
Ali told the BBC: "Bradford needs something to bring people back, the new market is, hopefully, going to help.
"At the same time I'm sad, because some people here are not going to go to the new market."
Kasiano Wonzer, a tailor, was not successful in applying for a new stall at the new Darley Street Market.
He told the Telegraph & Argus: "This is my professional job and my life depends on this.
"Since it is going to close down I am so sad, I started tailoring since I was small.
"For now I've packed my things and I'll go back to my house."
One couple who have run a stall at Kirkgate Market for more than 50 years, said: "It was one of the best markets in the UK."
"When they opened it was a beautiful market - lovely people came, they felt so happy.'
They're now packing up, giving their wares to charity and retiring.
But other traders are looking into new plans after not being offered a stalls at the swanky replacement market.
One trader said he was "feeling sad" and looking at the possibility of another shop but "the rent is high".
He said: "Before it was busy, very nice.
"The last two years, after Primark's gone, it's dead.'
Fruit World opened is Oastler Market in 1994 and is also moving to Darley Market.
Their team said: "It was a very good market, bustling, very busy because a lot of people used to go into the Morrisons.
"Slowly over time it's kind of died down."
But they said they were "very excited" to make the move and said while the new market is different, it's "beautiful" and "new over there".
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "Darley Street Market has always been significantly more than a simple like for like replacement of the markets it's replacing.
"It helps modernise our retail offer, but it also reshapes the city centre with a new market square."
3