The Bradford Council has confirmed the permanent closure of the historic Kirkgate Shopping Centre on June 18, 2026, to make way for a major residential redevelopment project called City Village.
The nearly 50-year-old complex, originally known as the Arndale Centre, will be demolished toward the end of 2026 after efforts to secure a historic listing failed.
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The local authority plans to transform the site into a new residential neighborhood at a cost of approximately £15.5 million.
The finished development will feature around 1,000 homes alongside green spaces and commercial properties, replacing the 1976 brutalist structure.
Retailers Begin Departure
Several retailers inside the complex have already halted operations or started clearance sales.
The New Look fashion store closed its branch on June 8, 2026, while the Pound Bakery shut its nearby location on June 6, 2026, redirecting customers to Leeds and Halifax.
Remaining tenants have posted notices about the upcoming closure.
The Get Free Books charity shop announced its departure with a hand-written sign, and Sports Direct launched a 20 percent discount sale to clear inventory.
"Thanks for having us, Bradford. This store will be closing on Monday 8th June," read a sign on New Look's window.
"Due to the planned demolition works to and of the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, we are sorry to have to announce the charity shop’s closure.
13th June 2026 will be our last trading day," read a sign on the Get Free Books door.
"Customer notice. This shop will be closed from the end of Saturday, June 6.
Your nearest shops and now Leeds and Halifax. Sorry for the inconvenience," read a sign on the bakery.
Local retail focus shifted significantly after the Broadway shopping complex opened in late 2015, accelerating long-term challenges for the older mall.
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Historic England also rejected listing applications for the brutalist complex, describing the site as lacking architectural flair despite past international shopping awards.
The impending closure has drawn criticism from some local residents who expressed frustration over the decline of traditional shopping facilities.
One anonymous resident described the decision as another nail in the coffin for the city center, while another criticized the residential project as an entirely foolish idea.
"We know there will be some affection for the Kirkgate Centre, it has been part of our city centre for decades," said a Bradford Council spokesperson in an official statement issued in April.
The council representative noted that shifting consumer habits forced the local government to remodel the urban core.
The municipality is currently introducing mixed-use spaces, including the Bradford Live entertainment venue and the fully occupied Darley Street Market, to adapt to changing retail trends.
"However, towns and city centres have been changing across the country for many years now and we started remodelling our city centre due to the seismic shift in retail trends some time ago," said the spokesperson.
The local authority emphasized that modern city centers require a diverse mix of culture, housing, and education rather than relying solely on traditional retail outlets.
"City centres now need much more than retail," said the spokesperson.
"To be successful, they need a mix of leisure, homes, business spaces, as well as hubs for culture and education."
"We’re already seeing this come to life in Bradford with the launch of Bradford Live, our stunning new entertainment venue and the new, fully occupied, award-winning Darley Street Market."
The local authority confirmed that tenants will vacate the premises completely over the summer months before structural work begins.
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"The Kirkgate Shopping Centre will close later this year ahead of demolition starting towards the end of 2026," said the spokesperson.
