There’s rarely been quite so much excitement over the opening of a new shopping centre as there has been in Bradford
The Broadway, the largest retail development to launch in the UK this year, is now open for business in Bradford. Singer and X Factor star Alexandra Burke officially opened the centre with a ribbon cutting at the Petergate Mall entrance. She was joined by community champions and local dignitaries who cut ribbons at the additional entrances.
The long-awaited £260 million Westfield development has created 2,500 new retail jobs and is the largest retail centre in the country to open in 2015. The Broadway has attracted leading department and fashion stores, including anchors Marks and Spencer and Debenhams, and high street fashion favourites H&M, Next, Topshop, Topman, New Look, schuh and River Island.
Together with the retail boost, The Broadway includes a seven-unit food court and a range of nationally recognised restaurants – including Patisserie Valerie, Taco Bell and Wrap Chic.
More than 300 people were given exclusive access to the centre two hours before opening for a VIP viewing and performance by Alexandra Burke. The launch kicked off a weekend of activities at The Broadway with plenty of treats and giveaways for Bradford shoppers.
Myf Ryan, Westfield director of marketing said: ‘The opening of The Broadway marks a fantastic day for the people Bradford. We’ve enjoyed getting to know the Bradford community over the last few months and working with them to showcase the soul that already exists in Bradford through our #NewCitySoul campaign. We wanted to extend this into our opening event, with opportunities for the community to get involved over the launch weekend.’
Bradford council leader, Coun David Green, added: ‘We were really looking forward to the grand opening of the Broadway shopping centre. The launch looked amazing and really brought in the crowds. It will lead on to the Christmas lights spectacular and our very popular reindeer parade which gives shoppers lots of reasons to come to our city and enjoy the run-up to the festive season.’
