Market project needs extra £2.4m

Darley Street Market was originally set to open this year, but its launch was pushed back to 2025

The building of a new market will need an extra £2.4m on top of the £27m already spent due to "complexities of construction".

Darley Street Market in Bradford was originally set to open this year, but its launch was pushed back and it is now expected to open in time for UK City of Culture 2025.

Work on the market began in April 2021, with Bradford Council announcing it was completed on 7 June this year.

But changes to the design, a more complicated demolition process and work to secure neighbouring buildings resulted in the overspend.

Councillor Mike Pollard said he understood “genuine unexpected issues can arise” but another £2.4m spend from the council’s budget was “most unwelcome”.

He said: “Another example of city centre projects grinding to expensive completion in the context of those anywhere outside the centre looking likely to bite the dust.”

Exposed foundations

A report updating the council on Darley Street Market’s progress was submitted on Tuesday.

It said: “Due to the complexities of the construction, several factors have impacted on the completion, especially during the demolition phase where the contractor had to undertake more works when the foundations of the surrounding buildings were exposed after demolition of the former Marks & Spencer building.

“This, along with temporary and permanent propping of adjacent buildings, which had not been included in the tender costs, resulted in an extension of time and additional cost to the project.”

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the £2.4m overspend comes just a few months after the executive approved a £1.4m overspend.

The original budget for the three-storey market was £23.5m – but this increased to £27m, with Bradford Council citing high inflation rates.

The market was designed to replace the city’s two existing markets, Oastler and Kirkgate, with many of the existing traders moving into the new market.

Plans include a butcher, fishmonger and greengrocer, a floor with clothing and beauty stalls and a food hall with stalls and a bar.

The market will also create a new city square featuring a big screen that will show concerts and sport, as well as outdoor stalls and events.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.