2013 was a promising year for developers, with the improvement in the UK’s economic situation allowing planned developments to get back on track. Fortunately, it appears that this enthusiasm for large scale projects has continued into the New Year, with a number of high profile development projects across the UK planned for the first quarter of the year.
One of the most welcome schemes to be kick started is the infamous Bradford Shopping Centre, which became an iconic image of the 2008 financial crisis after development was halted due to concerns that the completed project would not attract enough tenants.
Developers Westfield have confirmed that work on early construction will once more begin this month, with the first stage being to fill the large hole on the site dug almost six years ago in the centre of Bradford – something which enraged local residents when the scheme stalled.
According to Westfield, more than 50 per cent of the 570,000 square feet of commercial space within the £260 million Bradford Broadway development has now been let, with firms such as Topshop, Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Sainsbury’s all to take up units upon completion of construction work. Altogether, the centre will contain more than 70 retail units, with information regarding catering and leisure availability yet to be announced.
Prime Minister David Cameron praised Westfield, calling the Bradford Broadway shopping centre a “great example” of an infrastructure scheme implemented outside London.
Projects like these stand as a great example to others to show that the regional growth fund has been used to attract the necessary private sector investment to deliver significant and positive change in our cities.
“Westfield has delivered on its commitment to help regenerate Bradford and to build the Broadway scheme, contributing to the Government’s growth agenda in the UK.”
The scheme will not only act as a major, much needed incentive for consumers to visit the local city centre, but will also create numerous employment opportunities over the next few years. Westfield estimates that around 1,500 jobs in total will be created by the demands of the construction phase, while an additional 2,500 workers for retail and centre management will be required upon completion.
While no firm completion date has as yet been revealed, Westfield is confident that the shopping centre will be open for business by Christmas 2015. Hopefully the development will remain on schedule and, after six long years of waiting, the residents of Bradford will once more have a city centre in which to take pride.
