Bradford's Kirkgate Market gates get new home in city

Gates and panels from the old Kirkgate Market are being restored to their former glory

Decorative cast iron gates from a former Bradford market are set to have a new home in the city.

The gates are being restored along with panels that formed the crest above entrances to Kirkgate Market, with the items due to go on display in the upcoming Darley Street Market.

Kirkgate Market was demolished in 1973, with some of the ironwork currently on loan to an iron museum in Shropshire.

Bradford Council called the gates "important heritage objects".

The panels and gates will go on display in the market square and on the hot food and beverage floor at the new market, which is due to open later this year.

Ruan Bester, commercial director at Dorothea Restorations, said: "Several missing or damaged pieces were recast in grey cast iron and reinstated, and minor cracks were pinned and cast iron welded to secure them.

"Over the next few weeks the components with be fully decorated ready for installation."

Kirkgate Market was located where the current Kirkgate Shopping Centre sits in the city centre.

The decorative gates are described as "important heritage objects" by Bradford Council

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said Kirkgate Market still held "a special place in the hearts of many Bradfordians".

"The gates help to tell the story of how markets have evolved in Bradford over the years and I'm delighted that we have been able to showcase them in our fantastic new Darley Street Market," he said.

Darley Street Market is part of Bradford's £23m "City Village" regeneration project, which vows to "revitalise" local retail, business and leisure activities.

The scheme also aims to create a central neighbourhood offering up to 1,000 homes in a "green, traffic-reduced and sustainable environment", the council said.