1970s shopping centre ‘immune from listing’

THE Kirkgate Shopping Centre in Bradford does not meet the criteria for becoming a listed building, with Historic England describing it as “lacking architectural flair”.

The heritage body has said the brutalist building should be immune from listing, a decision that will free up owners Bradford Council to demolish the huge centre.

But some architecture fans have criticised the decision, with one saying the loss of the centre will be “looked back on with huge regret in 30 years”.

The 1970s shopping centre is due to be demolished in the coming years to make way for the City Village development of housing.

The market inside the centre will be shut when neighbouring Darley Street Market opens, and anchor tenant Primark is due to move to The Broadway shopping centre.

Although the Kirkgate Shopping Centre is criticised by many in Bradford for its appearance – a modern concrete structure in a city centre dominated by Victorian buildings – it does have its supporters among fans of the brutalist architectural style.

In 2022 another brutalist building earmarked for demolition, Richard Dunn Sports Centre, was listed by Historic England following a submission by the 20th Century Society – a group set up to preserve post-war buildings.

Last year, Bradford Council asked Historic England to consider giving Kirkgate a “certificate of immunity” from becoming listed – essentially preventing the building being listed before demolition starts – like Richard Dunn was.

The 20th Century Society objected to this move, arguing the building was a fine surviving example of brutalist shopping centres, and should be listed.

Historic England has now produced its findings, and argues that Kirkgate should not be given protected status.

The shopping centre was built in 1976. It quickly became the shopping hub of the city, and in 1979 won a European award from the International Council of Shopping Centres.

The recently published Historic England report says: “It lacks the architectural flair, design or technological innovation found in exemplar Brutalist buildings of this period. It has a bulky, monolithic appearance due to the uniform elevations, repetition of key features and continuous flat roof line of the rooftop car park.”

It says it “is mundane and repetitive” when compared to the best examples of brutalism.