A shopping centre that has served generations of shoppers is closing its doors for the final time today after nearly 50 years at the heart of a major UK city.
The closure marks the end of an era for many residents, with one worker saying the centre holds "many happy memories" for people across the area.
Bradford's Kirkgate Shopping Centre is shutting permanently on Thursday, bringing to a close almost five decades of trading in the West Yorkshire city.
The distinctive brutalist complex first opened in 1976 and became known as Bradford's "space-age shopping centre" during its peak years.
As staff prepared for the final closure, worker Jeanne reflected on the significance of the moment.
"It is certainly the end of an era for Bradford. Lots of people have many happy memories of Kirkgate," she said.
Bradford Council previously attempted to secure listed status for the 1970s building, but the bid was unsuccessful.
At its height, the 350,000-square-foot shopping centre was home to 70 stores, three department stores and two pubs.
The closure marks the end of an era for many residents
| GETTYHowever, its fortunes changed following the opening of Broadway Shopping Centre in 2015, alongside wider regeneration projects across Bradford city centre.
Most retailers had already left the complex ahead of Thursday's closure.
In April, a Bradford Council spokesperson acknowledged the affection many local people still have for the centre.
The spokesperson said: "Many people have fond memories of Kirkgate. 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."
Most retailers had already left the complex ahead of Thursday's closure
| PAThe closure brings the curtain down on one of Bradford's best-known shopping destinations, ending a chapter that began almost half a century ago.
The spokesperson added: "City centres now need much more than retail."
The site, together with the adjacent Oastler Market location, will be transformed into the City Village development featuring 1,000 new homes, commercial premises and quality green spaces.
Demolition work is anticipated to commence before the year ends and take approximately 18 months to complete
|GETTY
Demolition work is anticipated to commence before the year ends and take approximately 18 months to complete.
Councillor Andrew Judson, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for economy, regeneration and planning, expressed support for the transformation.
"City Village is the next step, and part of our wider strategic vision to combine community-focused development with major transport investment to create a people-centric, safer, better-connected Bradford," he said.