An award-winning shopping centre is preparing to close permanently after being open for 50 years. The Kirkgate Shopping Centre will shut its doors for the final time on June 18, according to reports. Numerous retailers within the Bradford centre, which originally opened in 1976, have already stopped trading or announced their final closure dates.
A handwritten sign affixed to the window of the Get Free Books charity shop in the complex reads: "Due to the planned demolition works to and of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, we are sorry to have to announce the charity shop's closure. 13th June 2026 will be our last trading day."
The New Look fashion store closed on Monday, June 8. A notice in its window read: "Thanks for having us, Bradford. This store will be closing on Monday 8th June." Pound Bakery, located just outside the shopping centre, ended trading at the weekend. A sign on the bakery read: "Customer notice. This shop will be closed from the end of Saturday, June 6. Your nearest shops are now Leeds and Halifax. Sorry for the inconvenience."
History and Design
The complex, originally named the Arndale Centre, won the European award from the International Council of Shopping Centres just years after opening. It is known for its brutalist design and has been described as Bradford's "space-age shopping centre."
Decline and Demolition Plans
The centre has experienced increasing pressure in recent years. The opening of Broadway Shopping Centre in late 2015 also posed a threat to Kirkgate Centre's future viability. Efforts to obtain listed status were unsuccessful, with Historic England describing the building as "lacking architectural flair."
Bradford Council has now decided to demolish the centre. A spokesperson for the council said in April: "We know there will be some affection for the Kirkgate Centre, it has been part of our city centre for decades. However, towns and city centres have been changing across the country for many years now and we started remodelling our city centre due to the seismic shift in retail trends some time ago. City centres now need much more than retail. To be successful, they need a mix of leisure, homes, business spaces, as well as hubs for culture and education. We're already seeing this come to life in Bradford with the launch of Bradford Live, our stunning new entertainment venue and the new, fully occupied, award-winning Darley Street Market. The Kirkgate Shopping Centre will close later this year ahead of demolition starting towards the end of 2026."
