Bradford Markets History

Market Traders have been working up an appetite for TV fame.  Bradfords Oastler Shopping Centre has secured itself a starring role on a Good Food Channel show to be screened later this year throughout the UK………..

Dozens of Traders at Bradford’s Oastler Shopping Centre have told Bradford Council they want it known as a market once more….

Original Article 

The sun shone as thousands turned to watch the Lord Mayors Parade through Bradford.  The city centre ground  to a halt as the  colourful and noisy parade snaked along the procession route greeted with smiles and waves every step of the way….

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More than 150 firemen fought for three hours today to control a blazing inferno which reduced the normally bustling Bradford John Street Market to a charred skeleton…

The battle is over….. the defenders have lost their fight  to the demolition hammer…. These were the words spoken  by the Telegraph and Argus back in February 1974 as the move was completed into the new Kirkgate Market.

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The doors of the public opened for the first time on the 15th November 1973.  Immediate impressions were warm, light and spacious, a market which in time  could have its own atmosphere and  could win a lot of friends into the bargain.

The new building came with 43 shops, cafes and snack bars and 142 stalls in the centre, a lot different to the one seen today.  One of the first customers Mrs Irene simpson commented “I always  called in the other market but this seems much more pleasant and is certainly warmer” and Mrs Elizabeth Carlin commented “there isn’t that smell in here.  I think people will like this market!”.

The old Tower Clock in St James Market  Bradford stopped just before christmas in anticipation for  of the markets closure in a few years time which will give way for a more modern complex.

Before the days of high speed travel and container lorries, the clock would run five minutes fast so buyers wouldnt miss the mornings only train back to Morecambe or Settle…..

As work began on phase one of the new Kirkgate Market the date of demoliton for the old market drew nearer,   for when the  new market is completed the traders will be moved in and the old market pulled down.  Shoppers attempted to get the building listed as “special interest” but it could not be done “so it is to go”.