Murals to be removed before centre demolished

A medieval cross and murals created by an acclaimed artist will be removed and preserved ahead of the demolition of Bradford's Kirkgate Shopping Centre.

The shopping centre will close after half a century on Thursday ahead of its demolition to make way for the new City Village development.

Murals by William Mitchell were recognisable sights in the former Kirkgate Market, along with Bradford's historic Market Cross, which dates back to 1251.

Bradford Council announced it has commissioned a conservation specialist to look at how to safely remove the two iconic pieces from the building.

Councillor Andrew Judson said the pieces were "of great significance and will be treated with the respect and care they deserve".

"The Market Cross is a symbol of Bradford's trade heritage, and it is important to preserve it as we lead the way in shaping the city centre of the future," he said.

"We are exploring options which take into account both the weight and space needed to relocate the much-loved murals, and the cross."

The demolition of the centre, which was built in 1976, is expected to take around 18 months, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Most of the businesses based in Kirkgate have now shut their doors, with some relocating to other spaces in the city centre.

On Thursday, the entire shopping centre, including its car park, will shut for good.

Once the brutalist landmark is demolished, hundreds of flats will be built in its place, along with public parks and commercial units.

Delivered by Bradford Council and ECF, the partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, the City Village scheme will also deliver a neighbouring development of flats and houses on the former Oastler Market site.

Proposed and developed by Bradford's Labour administration, for the first time since May's local elections, Reform has confirmed it plans to continue the project.

Judson said the scheme "shows the direction of the city centre for the next 10 years".

"City Village is the next step, and part of our wider strategic vision to combine community-focused development with major transport investment to create a people-centric, safer, better-connected Bradford," he said.

The project has already secured major inward investment, including £13.1m funding in principle from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and £30m of government cash via Homes England.

A spokesperson for the 20th Century Society added while there was "an element of sadness" that the brutalist building was closing, "Bradford must look to the future".

"On balance we believe it's the right decision to redevelop the site into a new residential quarter for the renewed city centre," they said.

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