Primark confirms move into Kirkgate

From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Feb 2006.

One of Britain's most successful fashion companies will open in Bradford's Kirkgate Shopping Centre at the end of this year after spending millions of pounds refurbishing the former Littlewoods store.

Primark confirmed that it had picked Bradford as a new location, along with Oxford.

A spokesman said work was being carried out to strip and convert the Littlewoods store which shut in January after 30 years in the centre.

And in a second boost the Kirkgate Centre announced it had been awarded a prestigious national car park award for the fifth year running.

The centre's car park has once again scored top marks for security and overall management in the Park Mark Scheme run by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The Home Office says the initiative has helped to reduce crime and fear of crime and has acted as the spur for car park improvements in some areas. During the past 12 months the centre's car park has recorded its lowest crime level in recent years.

Centre manager Catherine Riley said: "We're obviously delighted to receive the award again, which recognises the high standard of security we provide, including regular patrols and full coverage by 24-hour CCTV cameras. Our priority is to give our customers peace of mind and support the police's efforts to fight crime."

She also welcomed the opening of the Primark store as a major fillip for Bradford shoppers.

"It is an immensely popular high street store which is widely used by families. We are looking forward to it."

Primark is part of international retail and food giant Associated British Foods which acquired all 120 Littlewoods stores in July last year for £409 million.

ABF decided to keep only about 40 and invest £375 million converting the most suitable into Primark shops.

The Kirkgate Centre was taken over by the Mall Corporation last month in a multi-million pound deal.

The 35 staff who worked in the Littlewoods store are understood to have been offered interviews with Primark but many opted for redundancy.

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