The Ridings: Authority was right not to buy centre - council boss

Wakefield Council looked for a third-party buyer to work with to redevelop The Ridings Shopping Centre

A West Yorkshire council made the "right decision" not to buy a local shopping centre, its leader has said.

The Labour-run Wakefield Council backed out of acquiring The Ridings Shopping Centre 10 months ago.

The authority had considered taking control of the centre as part of a large regeneration project.

Instead, it decided to search for a third-party buyer to "work in partnership" in redeveloping the centre.

Senior Wakefield councillors withdrew from the sale in December, blaming financial pressures.

The council decided to search for a buyer they could work in partnership with, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said, with the centre bought in March by businessman Zahid Iqbal.

'Buzzing'

Council leader Denise Jeffery said she was thrilled to open a "fabulous" new play area at the centre.

"It was great to see so many young children with their mums and dads, all queuing up to use this facility," she said.

"Quite honestly, The Ridings is now buzzing. I think [the council] made the right decision not to buy it."

The Ridings opened in 1983 and will soon mark 40 years in the city.

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, leader of the Conservative opposition group, said: "I thought the Ridings was finished - that was my personal view.

"But from going in there recently and seeing the independent shops arrive in the city centre, it shows us that Wakefield has got a lot of life left in it."

Ms Jeffery added: "The fact is, a business owner has bought [The Ridings] and he is making such a difference."