The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) will be submitted to the Committee to provide an update on the progress of the new city centre market redevelopment project in Darley Street

Recommended –

That Members consider this report and recommend that a future progress report is presented to this committee after the market has opened for a minimum of 12 months.

(Colin Wolstenholme – 01274 432243)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document E) was submitted to the Committee to provide an update on the progress of the Darley Street Market project. 

The project started in 2017 and the last update was submitted to the Committee in February 2020.  The report provided details of the planning and preparation that had taken place leading up to the start of construction in May 2021 with Kier Construction chosen as the contractor who submitted a successful tender bid.  It also provided details of the design of the building, facilities for visitors, access and market operations information floor by floor.  Facilities that would be provided to each trader were included, demonstrating the commitment to provide a sustainable and quality market offering in the District.  The building would include a building management system to minimise cost and energy consumption with specialist glazing, solar panels and rainwater collection for toilet flushing.

Officers gave an overview of the types of traders who were being invited to submit applications and the aspiration that the market could operate with maximum energy and environmental efficiency.  The market would operate on 4 principal levels that consisted of 3 trading floors and an underground, secure level for deliveries and a waste management area. 

The presentation included a number of photos and illustrations to allow members to gain a better understanding of how the market would look and how it would be managed and operated.  Members had also visited the site to see the project for themselves and to visualise the final offering.

Successful applicants were due to be announced in October 2022 excluding hot food and beverage traders as these were to be appointed separately as preferred suppliers.  In order to maintain the desired quality of goods and services, traders’ performance would be monitored during an initial 3-year lease which would not be re-newed if expectations of quality service were not met.

Members were then given the opportunity to comment and ask questions, the details of which and the responses given are as below.

In light of the ongoing cost of living and energy crisis, a Member asked if any financial adjustments had been necessary.  Officers stated that there was a Council contingency fund which could potentially support additional costs in relation to the building but that Kier Construction had already provided a price for the work.  Changes or unforeseen issues would have to be considered and the situation was being monitored externally.  Members were again reminded that energy efficiency had been built into the project and traders would be responsible for paying for electricity.  Traders would also benefit from corporate energy rates so would pay the least expensive rates available.

A Member stated that it was an exciting prospect for Bradford and was a departure from existing market services and asked if there was capacity to maintain the high standards required.  Officers stated that whilst the Council was moving away from site management as such, that the top floor would be managed and cleaned etc. by the successful operator and there was a staff structure in place to provide support.  They were also confident that with the positive working relationships with traders and sufficient, routine checks being carried out that success would be achieved.

A Member asked who would decide on what was offered on the top floor and by whom and was advised that it would be a decision made in partnership with the operator with the Council taking an active involvement in the decision process.  The subject of operating hours was also raised which needed further discussion around later opening.  The aim being to respond to customer demand rather than the traders’ preferences.

A Member asked about tenancy agreements and whether they would be subject to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 which set out the process and grounds that must be followed if it became necessary to terminate a business tenancy.  Officers advised that leases would be contracted out of the 1954 Act if they were breached and again stated that traders’ performance would be monitored to determine whether a lease would be re-issued after 3 years.

There were a good number of applications received from pre-existing traders who may have had previous or ongoing customer care issues.  A Member asked what training had been offered to provide them with the opportunity to be considered for the new market.  Officers advised that training would be offered to applicants who were shortlisted.  The application process would identify gaps that needed to be addressed in areas such as customer service, marketing, e-commerce etc.  Training would need to be undertaken as part of the requirements to become a tenant.  Officers further explained that the application included 25 questions that each attracted a points score and aimed to identify and address any areas for development.  The Panel assessing applications would only see anonymised forms and were selected from a variety of relevant professions and/or business sectors.

Members wanted assurance that everyone had an equal opportunity to be successful and were assured that applicants were offered the opportunity to meet and take part in surgeries before the application process started, with a clear rationale to support the decisions reached.

A Member asked whether the top floor would be made up of independent traders and was seeking assurance that the market retained its ‘vibe’ as a market.  The mix and type of tenants should be made up of what Bradford needed.  Time was being taken to ensure that it provided a good offer and that it would be a fantastic market provision.

The portfolio holder was present at the meeting and wished to thank the team for the work undertaken and was keen to retain existing customers but to attract new ones also.  There was also the prospect of possible awards to explore going forward.

Resolved –

That a further update be presented in 12 months

Action: Strategic Director, Place