Market project to begin after multiple delays

The Shipley Market project is now set to be completed by November

Work to transform a town centre market is to begin next month after multiple delays.

The £4m overhaul of Shipley Market was originally due to be completed in December, but in September it was announced the finish date had been put back to May due to the rising costs of materials.

This week, Shipley Town Council said the development would now start in February and be completed by November.

The work will be phased to allow the Market Square to host market days and Bradford 2025 City of Culture events.

A statement from the council said: "Contractors Aureos (formerly known as Keltbray) have been appointed to undertake the work, which will see a phased approach to renewing the surfacing, drainage, lighting, street furniture and planting."

Under the changes the existing fixed market stalls will be removed, with future markets held under a central canopy using pop-up stalls.

New green spaces and benches will be installed in the area currently occupied by the fixed stalls.

The car park will remain, with electric charging points installed in some of the spaces.

Despite the market scheme progressing, an accompanying project to re-open Shipley's public toilets has been delayed.

Work was due to begin in October, but the procurement of the contractors to carry out the toilet works has been delayed, and is not likely to conclude until mid-February, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A statement from the town council, which would operate the toilets, said: "This work has been delayed numerous times for reasons outside the town council's control.

"The council remains committed to providing public toilets in Shipley Town Centre."

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