Ornamental wrought iron panels, that formed the decorative crest above the public entrances of the former Bradford Kirkgate Market are currently undergoing restoration and Bradford Council has release some latest images showing some of the restoration complete.
Once all the restoration is completed, they will be placed on display in the new Darley Street Market which is currently under construction in Bradford city centre and due to open later this year.
Two sets of large decorative panels along with a set of cast iron gates were retained by Bradford Council’s museums service after the former Kirkgate Market was demolished in 1973 and replaced with the Kirkgate Shopping Centre. One set has been returned to Bradford after being on long term loan to the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron in Shropshire.
The over-throw and side panels, which have been completely restored by specialists in heritage architectural metalwork, are to go on display on the hot food and beverage floor and the other overthrow and gates which is still undergoing restoration is to go on display in the new Market Square.
The council has also released a video which shows a fly through of the new building which is set to be completed shortly in advance of final fit out phase with the shop fitting of each market stall, hot food kiosk and bar, as well as a stage, indoor screens, large outdoor screen, and umbrellas for hosting events on the market square.
Ruan Bester, Commercial Director at Dorothea Restorations, said “We have completed all the restoration works to the four Kirkgate Market panels and overthrow. The repairs work included taking latex moulds of the original components to produce patterns for reproduction. Several missing or damaged pieces were recast in grey cast iron and reinstated, and minor cracks were pinned and cast iron welded. These sections have finally been decorated in green with the lettering detail picked out in gold paint. We’ve now moved on to the restoration of the sections which include the fan and crest.”
Colin Wolstenholme, Markets Manager at Bradford Council, said: “It’s great that we’ve been able to use some of the heritage of previous Bradford Markets at the new Darley Street Market as our exciting new vision for city centre markets comes the fruition. Our latest video shows the fantastic progress that’s been made on the building and our selected tenants are looking forward to its opening.”
