Bradford’s new city centre market could serve alcohol until 11pm if a new licence is approved.
Bradford Council has submitted licencing applications for Darley Street Market that will also allow the venue to host live music and events until 10.30pm.
But the long-awaited opening date for the market has still not yet been announced.
The applications, submitted on Wednesday, also apply to the new Market Square in front of the building.
One is for the entire market and the other for the Market Kitchen – a food court on the top floor of the building.
The entertainment side of the applications would allow the market to host performances of live music, playing of recorded music, performance of a play, exhibition of a film, an indoor sporting event or performance of a dance between 9.30am and 10.30pm.
The alcohol licence allows the sale of alcohol from 10am to 10.30pm on the wider market site and 11am to 11pm in the Market Kitchen.
Any traders selling alcohol will also need to hold a personal licence.
The market will eventually replace the city’s two existing markets, in the Oastler Centre and Kirkgate Centre.
There will be three floors – one selling non-food goods, one selling fresh food and a food court that will include two bars, one selling alcohol and another selling non-alcoholic drinks.
There will also be a public square that can also host stalls and events.
When the Local Democracy Reporting Service was given a tour of the market last year, Council officers pointed out that shutters would be used to close off the main market at the end of the business day, but that access to the food court would remain until the late evening.
The £31m market has been beset by delays, and there is still no opening date.
Last month Bradford Council revealed that although the food court was almost completed, extra funding was needed for the fit out of the two market floors.
Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The work in the new market is progressing well and this is another key step for us in ensuring the market will be ready to welcome visitors and make the experience extra special when it is ready to be opened. By having these licences in place it will allow us to hold live performances and create a really vibrant atmosphere in the new space.
“We know the new market will be a real game changer for the city centre. It will provide a much-needed connection between the already completed improvement work in the area around North Parade, and the new public spaces and traffic-free areas at the lower end of town.”
The applications have been submitted to the licensing team and will be advertised around the market.
People have until 18 April to make any representations.
