Bradford Kirkgate Shopping Centre closes after 50 years

A historic shopping centre in Bradford will close permanently on June 18, ending its 50-year run as a city centre retail hub ahead of its planned demolition later this year. The Kirkgate Shopping Centre, which first opened in 1976, will be replaced by a new residential neighbourhood as part of a major redevelopment project.

The closure marks the final chapter for the centre, originally known as the Arndale Centre, which was once celebrated for its bold brutalist architecture and even won a European award from the International Council of Shopping Centres in 1979. In recent weeks, the building has emptied out as remaining tenants have ceased trading. The Get Free Books charity shop posted a notice stating its last day would be June 13, while the New Look clothing store closed on June 8. Other closures include Pound Bakery, which shut on June 6, and the Boyes store, which has been stripped of its contents. Sports Direct has been offering discounts to clear remaining stock.

The centre’s decline accelerated after the opening of the Broadway Shopping Centre in late 2015, which shifted the city’s retail focus. Changing consumer habits and the growth of online shopping further reduced...