The final sections of two sets of highly decorative entrance panels from the original Bradford Kirkgate Market, which have undergone restoration, have now been installed at their new home in the new Darley Street Market building.
An ornate overthrown and two cast-iron gates have already been installed in the 1,000 square metre open-air Market Square at the state-of-the-art new market building.
These final large panels which are too long to fit in the lifts at the market, were winched over the large balcony and manoeuvred into place by specialist contractors, before being installed on the top floor, which is to be the hot food and beverage area of the new market.
The 4,000 square metre building on Darley Street Market which has recently moved in to its fit-out stage, will feature three trading floors welcoming independent traders, as well as creating a cultural space for live music, arts and entertainment.
The top floor, where the panels have been installed, will be home to a fabulous array of food from around the world, as well as a traditional bar area and a mocktail bar. There will also be a stage and large screens for events, the whole floor leads out on to a spectacular terraced balcony which overlooks the 1,000 m2 open air market square, which also includes a big screen.
The middle floor will have fresh food stalls including butchers, bakers, fishmongers, greengrocers and delicatessens.
The ground floor is where the non-food stalls will be located, and there will also be cafes opening out on to the market square which features a big screen and can hold around 500 people for events and concerts. The square also has a series of umbrellas which when joined together create an undercover area for pop-up market stalls and events.
Below the market square is a large underground area for trader deliveries, additional storage and waste handling and recycling.
“These entrance features from the former old Kirkgate Market are important heritage objects for the district and help to tell the story of how markets have evolved in Bradford over the years,” said Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport.
“The new market is really coming together; we have now moved in to the fit out stage and will shortly begin our announcements of more traders who’ll be joining us at Darley Street Market.”
These decorative entrance way items were retained by Bradford Council’s museums service after the former Kirkgate Market was demolished in 1973 and replaced with the Kirkgate Shopping Centre. These panels were on long term loan and until recently on display at Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron at Ironbridge in Shropshire.
