The Bradford branch of retail giant Primark will be relocating from its current site in the Kirkgate Shopping Centre to Broadway.
The store will move into the huge unit formerly occupied by Debenhams, which shut in May 2021 after the high street staple went into administration.
Primark’s move was revealed as part of a major announcement that Bradford Council had bought the Kirkgate Centre with a view to demolishing the building in the coming years.
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The retailer said it will bring the branch “into the heart of Bradford.” But the move is not likely to take place before 2024.
The Council announced yesterday that it planned to demolish the shopping centre as part of its City Village plan. The Kirkgate site would be developed for city centre housing and green space.
Although nationally retailers have suffered from decreasing footfall in recent years, Primark is still hugely popular with shoppers.
Before the centre is demolished, Bradford Council says it will support other business in Kirkgate to move to other empty units, both in Broadway and elsewhere in the city centre. Kirkgate is currently home to 46 shops and food and drink businesses including Boyes, Sports Direct, New Look, Yours and Card Factory.
Ian Ward, General Manager at The Broadway, said: “After working closely with the Bradford Council and Primark, we’re delighted to announce Primark will be opening a 55,000 sqft (gross) unit in the former Debenhams store.
“The retail industry has really felt the effects of the pandemic and I’m pleased to say as we move into the second half of 2022 that we’re definitely emerging from the other side more positive than ever. The Broadway will be announcing a host of new retailers before the end of the year to further bolster the local economy.”
Kari Rodgers, UK Retail Director at Primark, said: “We are delighted to be moving into The Broadway, putting us at the heart of Bradford. The new store will put us in a prime location to give customers more of what they love.
“We’re looking forward to getting to work on the new store and welcoming customers new and old through the doors.”
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