Bradford’s new Westfield Shopping Centre promises to be one of the most exciting projects to hit the city in several years, with a number of retailers expressing an interest in taking up commercial space in the £260 million development. The site, located in the key Broadway area of the city centre, is expected to create widespread unemployment and regenerate the retail industry within the surrounding area, thus providing a healthy boost for the local economy.
This week, developer and main investor Westfield confirmed that the first three units in the food court have been filled by Burger King, KFC and Hey Potato, and expressed its confidence that the remaining four units will also soon be taken up. This will be the first time Burger King has operated an outlet in Bradford for several years, and marks the first foray of Hey Potato into the city.
In addition, Westfield claimed that negotiations with a number of national and local food retailers are ongoing and hinted that further announcements may well be made soon. Director of operations, Bill Giouroukos, believes that the recent signings will encourage yet more retailers from both the food and non-food sectors to consider locating branches in the shopping centre.
He says; “The new food court operators add to the impressive portfolio of retailers that have signed up to the scheme and will help to cement Broadway Bradford’s position as a key strategic location for leading UK and international brands.
“We’re delighted at the progress we’ve made in 2014, with construction having commenced at the start of the year and exciting retailers signing up to the scheme.”
While Burger King and Hey Potato at present do not operate premises in Bradford, KFC already runs an outlet on nearby Tyrrel Street. However, a spokesman confirmed that the existing location would remain open to customers for the foreseeable future, and that the company “would relocate all staff if we did take the decision to close.”
The news was welcomed by chief executive Colin Philpott of Bradford Breakthrough, which represents 32 public and private organisations in the Bradford area. Bradford Breakthrough is currently working with Westfield in order to attract a higher number of restaurants to move into the Bradford area, and Westfield is sponsoring the body’s event, “A Taste of Bradford”, on the 27th of March.
Mr Philpott said; “I am pleased to see Westfield making progress on developing the food offer within their new centre.
“This all helps to build the variety and choice available to people working in, and visiting, Bradford.”
Speaking of the “A Taste of Bradford” event, he added; “Restaurant operators from all over the country have been invited to Bradford that day to see for themselves the opportunities and incentives available to open in the city centre.”
