Latest news with #DarleyStreetMarket
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florist's second store in Darley Street Market will be like 'cave of flowers'
THE owners of a flower shop in Bradford city centre have revealed plans to open a second site and transform their current premises. Blossoms & Co on Market Street has become a blooming business since it was opened by John Varey and Lisa Brealey in January. Their floral creations are crafted by florist duo Kim Farrar and Debs Scott. It has become one of the most eye-catching sights on the recently pedestrianised road - bringing colourful, floral displays to the streets of Bradford. Now it has announced plans to open a second shop at the new Darley Street Market when it opens this July. Its original premises will remain and be turned into a destination for wreath, bouquet and cooking workshops as well as botanical and plant-based cakes. Little details at Blossoms & Co (Image: Newsquest) It is also hoped that people will be able to sit outside and enjoy their purchases al fresco. The shop also hopes to introduce a 'posy takeaway' deal - a growing trend where customers can get a hot drink and a small, hand-tied bouquet of flowers. 'It's come from Italy,' said John, who also works on the shop's unique wreaths for funerals. 'You can put it on your desk when you go back to work. Blossoms & Co's John Varey (Image: Newsquest) 'We're expanding downstairs of the flower shop to become a design studio. We're doing the graphic design studio to support local businesses with affordable graphics. 'The shop is going to be at the entrance of Darley Street Market. 'It's going to be plants, gifts, and designed like you're walking into a cave of flowers. 'We're going to support with floral workshops, plants-based cooking workshops.' Sign for Blossoms & Co (Image: Newsquest) Reflecting on the journey so far, John said: 'We opened with an amazing team of florists - one being a Harrogate Flower Show award-winning stylist. 'I have the best florists you can imagine. We took over a florist that was there. 'We're very lucky because we've hit Bradford in 2025, the year of the City of Culture. That's helped massively. 'My job's always been creating - marketing, design. Being invited to take on that shop and make it our own has been one of the best projects of my life. I absolutely love it. I love the Bradford people and diversity. 'The customer base is growing. People are coming into the shop and chatting with us.' John, who has worked in the creative industries and marketing for many years, has just returned from five years of travel around the world. His work alongside Heather Mills saw him teach people how to make delicious plant-based dishes in places like Hollywood, Palm Springs, and Switzerland. He is now learning the art of Japanese floristry. Speaking about how business is going in Bradford, the 56-year-old said: 'I can feel a vibe at last. I can see the light. I've worked in Bradford for 30 years. 'There's a stigma from the past that's been built over many years. With the King coming to the city, that's huge. You can't get better than that. 'With all the support from Bradford BID they've been amazing. 'Business is growing.'
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bradford Council confirms opening date for Darley Street Market
Darley Street Market will open on Saturday 12 July, six years after plans were first approved by Bradford market will host events across the inaugural weekend, on both 12 & 13 July, to mark the opening, according to the there are three floors, with the top floor dedicated to a food court, the middle floor being home to shops selling meat, fruit and vegetables, and the ground floor selling clothes, jewellery, perfumes and will also be a café and deli - with outdoor seating - in the market square, with the infrastructure to host events, including film festivals, on a dedicated large screen. Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, described the market as "a key part of our regeneration strategy".She added: The building itself is a purpose-built, high-spec space, with a focus on fresh food and a food court. "It also includes an events space which will allow food, culture, and social experiences to bring people together in a vibrant place for all to enjoy. "We're confident it will draw people to it as a major destination for Bradford," she food court will include restaurants serving food from Mexico, Greece, Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Syria and Italy. Bradford Council said it would be announcing details of the traders, starting with those in the food court, Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: "Darley Street Market has always been significantly more than a simple like-for-like replacement of the markets it's replacing. "It helps modernise our retail offer, but it also reshapes the city centre with a new market square. "This project is creating spaces for people to shop, meet and socialise, but also providing new cultural opportunities with events, film festivals and live music all a possibility."The market, which replaces the old Oastler and Kirkgate markets, has been the subject of some criticism, with Bradford Council rebuked over the rising costs of construction, which had risen to £31m by the council maintains the market will contribute to Bradford's growth - including the City Village project, which aims to deliver 1,000 "quality homes" in the city centre. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bradford traders hope for brighter future at Darley Street market
Independent traders in Bradford say they hope the city's long-delayed new market can transform their ailing fortunes after what they see as years of to be a key part of Bradford city centre's regeneration, Darley Street Market was originally scheduled to open in June 2023 but remains a work in council has insisted it will open in 2025 - Bradford's City of Culture year - replacing the outdated Oastler and Kirkgate markets with a more modern have now begun their final preparations, and say the move can't come soon enough. Both the Oastler and Kirkgate markets appear to be in a state of decline when the BBC visits shortly after opening on a chilly Tuesday located within the shopping centre of the same name, is largely deserted. More than half of traders are estimated to have vacated their stalls and those left easily outnumber the number of customers browsing."Sometimes there's not enough money to pay staff," admits Osman Ince, who sells leather goods including wallets, handbags and who is originally from Turkey, has traded in the market since red signs advertising a clearance sale are dotted around his stall, but there are very few passers-by to see them. 'It's dead here' Around us, the hustle and bustle you might expect to fill the space has been replaced by a dated music playlist."It's dead here," he in 1976, Kirkgate Shopping Centre was once Bradford's main shopping hub and remains a popular example of Brutalist local authority plans to tear it down, along with the nearby Oastler Shopping Centre, to make way for the City Village development, with many traders heading to the new, purpose-built Darley Street Market.A council spokesperson says City Village would be "a transformational regeneration programme, which alongside delivering 1,000 new homes, will also create independent retail and leisure opportunities, business spaces, and high-quality public realm". On the other side of the market hall, Abdul Ghafoor's mobile phone stall is just as quiet, although he is "optimistic" about the future at Darley Street."Everything's going to be open from nine to five, all the shops are occupied," he says."Since The Broadway opened, it's affected us with the bigger shops moving."Mr Ghafoor's business has been run by his family for 21 years. He recalls them paying "close to six figures" for the plot "back in the day", but says they have been given rent discounts in recent years to help with the drop-off in footfall."We are talking about probably 80% less footfall," he says. Jim Fewtrell, who runs a neighbouring stall selling perfume, says the market has "died" because people "generally assume it's shut"."Businesses here have gone out of business because of the delay and the footfall going."The council are trying, but it hasn't been good for my business. I'm sympathetic but frustrated."Mr Fewtrell, who has been trading in Kirkgate Market since 1998, says he currently breaks even, "if that", and admits his business is "hanging in" until Darley Street admits he considered mothballing it until that point, with an new opening date still unknown."What it won't stand is delaying for another year, everyone will have gone by then."Our biggest fear is yet more delay. It's supposed to be City of Culture but half the shops aren't even open," adds the 59-year-old."We are going to see how it goes in Darley Street. Hopefully it will see us through to retirement." While Darley Street offers hope for some, not every trader has been so Wonzer, a tailor originally from South Sudan, is on the waiting list for a stall there and unsure what the future holds."My life depends on this," he says from behind his sewing machine."I don't have any place to go. I don't want to depend on benefits, I have to work."The council spokesperson says they will "continue to support the small number of remaining tenants to either find new premises or be compensated if appropriate". Meanwhile, over in the nearby Oastler Shopping Centre, footfall appears to be a only sound in the entrance foyer is a jingle coming from a claw machine, with shutters down on many of the units on the dimly lit shop floor."It's taken way to long for us to actually get into this market," says one trader, who described the ongoing delays as "a nightmare"."Everything has been regenerated towards the bottom end of town. We have had changes to public transport routes, numerous roadworks, which has all caused a detrimental effect to the small business at the top end of town."It's been very stressful for us having to try and stay afloat when you have got hardly any footfall. Markets thrive on footfall."There seems to be a silver lining. We seem to be at the final hurdle now."A council spokesperson says they are "working hard with contractors and traders on the final stage of fit-out".They did not provide a date for reopening, but add that they "hope to be in a position to make an announcement about the opening shortly". Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Late night alcohol licences sought for new market
A new market in Bradford will be able to serve alcohol until 23:00 every night if licences are approved. Bradford Council has submitted applications for licences for Darley Street Kitchen and the Market Square at the new Darley Street Market, which, if given the go-ahead, would allow alcohol to be sold and live music to be performed. They would also allow recorded music to be played, as well as films to be shown and indoor sporting events, dance or theatrical performances to be held. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw said the licences were a "key step for us in ensuring the market will be ready to welcome visitors and make the experience extra special when it is ready to be opened". Mr Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, added: "By having these in place it will allow us to hold live performances and create a really vibrant atmosphere in the new space. "We know the new market will be a real game changer for the city centre. "It will provide a much-needed connection between the already completed improvement work in the area around North Parade, and the new public spaces and traffic-free areas at the lower end of town." The project to regenerate markets in Bradford has included replacing the old Oastler and Kirkgate markets at a cost of £31m. The new 43,000 sq ft (4,000 sq m) Darley Street Market building will have three trading floors aimed at welcoming independent traders and live entertainment. The market was originally due to open in 2024, but the council has since said it would open later this year. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. New market 'has gone comically over budget' Details of more funding for market kept secret New market's opening delayed but demand high Market project needs extra £2.4m Bradford Council
BBC News
29-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Late night alcohol licences sought for new Darley Street market
A new market in Bradford will be able to serve alcohol until 23:00 every night if licences are Council has submitted applications for licences for Darley Street Kitchen and the Market Square at the new Darley Street Market, which, if given the go-ahead, would allow alcohol to be sold and live music to be would also allow recorded music to be played, as well as films to be shown and indoor sporting events, dance or theatrical performances to be Alex Ross-Shaw said the licences were a "key step for us in ensuring the market will be ready to welcome visitors and make the experience extra special when it is ready to be opened". Mr Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport, added: "By having these in place it will allow us to hold live performances and create a really vibrant atmosphere in the new space."We know the new market will be a real game changer for the city centre. "It will provide a much-needed connection between the already completed improvement work in the area around North Parade, and the new public spaces and traffic-free areas at the lower end of town."The project to regenerate markets in Bradford has included replacing the old Oastler and Kirkgate markets at a cost of £ new 43,000 sq ft (4,000 sq m) Darley Street Market building will have three trading floors aimed at welcoming independent traders and live market was originally due to open in 2024, but the council has since said it would open later this year. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
