Residents and businesses are being invited to have their say on more detailed plans to transform Shipley town centre into a thriving place to visit, shop and enjoy.

As part of the Shipley Streets for People programme, Bradford Council is sharing proposals to transform Shipley’s outdoor marketplace with significant green spaces, natural play installations for children and a new public square for events. Two versions are published for feedback, including the option for a canopy covering an events space to allow for year-round activities.

This follows a public engagement exercise held by Bradford Council last year on the Shipley Streets for People programme. Feedback from this consultation was gathered and used to help draw up plans that aim to improve Shipley town centre with a focus on Market Square.

Shipley Streets for People aims to increase footfall for local shops and the market, as well as improving links to the wider town centre, local amenities and the railway station. Helping people to enjoy the town centre is a priority and the plans would also help local businesses and market stall holders to thrive. The aim is to make Shipley one of the best places to live, work and visit.

The intention is to create an area that feels pleasant, greener, safe and attractive and will bring more people back into the town centre. This will be aided by improving accessibility, seating and shelter to encourage people, particularly the most vulnerable, to get out and about more. It help to reduce air pollution and increase physical activity.

The public consultations carried out so far informed the preliminary design for improvements to the town centre, specifically focusing on the Market Square. Further plans will be drafted to expand the scheme to surrounding areas and link with the railway station and Saltaire. This will be funded through the Towns Fund and West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Streets for People.

Bradford Council now wants residents and businesses to comments on two options it is looking at for development:

·                     Option 1 reshapes the Market Square and provides a new canopy that can be used for the market, more events allowing performances and community use, and as a shelter for everyone on rainy days. The canopy could become a focus for activity in the town centre giving the area a wow factor and enhance the visitor local experience.

·                     Option 2 is the site without a canopy, where the market will be in the pedestrian precinct facing the shops.

In both options the existing market area will be transformed with rain gardens and used for informal play, sitting and enjoying the space. A small shop unit with outdoor seating may be located to the south east of the central area.

Please see below for Option 1, Option 2 and sketches of work in progress for the canopy.

How can I have my say?

You can submit your comments by email to streetsforpeopleshipley@bradford.gov.uk.

When does the consultation end?

The consultation runs until Sunday, 6 February 2022.