Bradford shoppers divided over Kirkgate Shopping Centre

Kirkgate Shopping Centre is set to be demolished

Once dubbed Bradford's "space age" retail destination, Kirkgate Shopping Centre will soon be no more.

The city centre landmark, which opened for business as an Arndale in 1976, has been denied listed status by Historic England - paving the way for its demolition.

The brutalist concrete structure, which won an international award in 1979, will make way for green space, housing and commercial space as part of Bradford's regeneration.

Situated away from what is now the main shopping street, in the shadow of the modern Broadway Centre which opened in 2015, Kirkgate looks very different from modern airy designs.

The BBC spoke to shoppers to find out whether they would be bidding it a fond farewell or good riddance.

'A concrete monstrosity'

Janice Ivory and Lisa Donison didn't hold back in their criticism of the centre in its current state.

"Thank God for that," was Janice's reaction to the news the building was set to be bulldozed, although an exact date for its closure remains unknown.

"It's just a concrete monstrosity," she said of its design, which Historic England said was "lacking architectural flair".

"It's just an ugly building," added Lisa.

"There's nothing in it."

Lisa says the building is "ugly"

Janice wasn't done there, labelling the building "a blight on the landscape".

The pair were visiting the centre to exchange an item, "then we're going straight back out", said Janice.

"We never come to Bradford. It's terrible, even the pound shops are closing," she added.

"They took down a beautiful building to make this. The old Kirkgate Market was lovely, we will go to Leeds and look at theirs."

'It's a historical thing'

Rehan Mohammed was less scathing in his criticism, although he admitted he now shops in Leeds.

The 33-year-old grew up in Bradford and has fond memories of the centre from his childhood.

A visit is a nostalgia trip, he said.

Mr Mohammed now shops in Leeds

"I don't really come because it's got nothing inside," admitted Rehan, who was in town to see a friend.

"It used to be good when we had the designer clothes shops in the market.

"I don't think it needs to go, it's something you look forward to when you come to Bradford town. It's been there for years.

"It's a historical thing - when you look at the market you get happy."

'It needs updating'

In 1979, the building won a European award from the International Council of Shopping Centres.

But the Historic England report described its design as "mundane and repetitive".

The market on the top floor will close when the neighbouring Darley Street Market opens later this year, with anchor tenant Primark due to move to the modern Broadway Centre.

Forty-year-old Vicky Tate, from Halifax, said Primark was the only shop in the Kirkgate Centre worth visiting.

"It needs updating or something doing to it," she added.

Some fans of brutalist architecture have mourned the centre's impending demise, although few others echoed their feelings on the ground.

'I wouldn't say it was beautiful'

Geoffrey Cowley from Wibsey, who was in town for an eye appointment, said demolishing it "might be the right thing to do".

Few people the BBC spoke to thought the building should stay

"I wouldn't say it was beautiful but it's adequate," he added.

"It's a good idea (to demolish it). You don't want two markets side by side."

'A historic part of Bradford'

Cancer patient Katherine Naylor was only in town to catch a bus to her hospital appointment.

The 65-year-old said she stopped shopping in the city centre a long time ago, but labelled plans to demolish the centre as "disgusting".

Ms Naylor said plans to demolish the centre were "disgusting"

"It's a historic part of Bradford," she said.

"It's still got the feel of the old Kirkgate Market. That market on Darley Street that they are building, the stall-holders can't afford it."

Mother-of-one Ms Naylor added: "They are going to build all that and there's nobody going to be able to work in it. What's the point?

"I would love them to stop this nonsense and put money back into the old buildings, revitalise them."

The BBC has contacted Bradford Council for comment.