Over 21,000 visitors poured into Bradford’s brand-new Darley Street Market during its opening weekend in July 2005, marking the start of a new chapter for the city’s market scene.
Replacing the former Kirkgate Market and Oastler Centre, the £32 million development combines traditional market trading with a modern events space.
The market includes a ground-floor produce hall, retail units, and the Darley Street Kitchen on the top floor, which features a bar, indoor seating, and an outdoor terrace with views across the city.
Building an events-ready space
Working with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Bradford Markets, we delivered a versatile lighting and staging solution to support the market’s entertainment programme.
The system was designed for flexibility, enabling the space to host anything from small acoustic sets to larger community events.
Installed equipment included:
- CHAUVET Professional UK Ovation F145WW Fresnels for consistent warm washes
- Eve P-160 RGBW LED Pars for colour mixing and effects
- ChamSys QuickQ rack for easy, adaptable control
- 12 x 1m² Showgear Mammoth staging sections for configurable performance layouts
Practical setup for a public venue
By installing energy-efficient LED fixtures and a straightforward control system, we helped ensure the market’s events space is both cost-effective to run as well as easy to manage for staff.
The modular staging adds further flexibility, enabling the space to adapt to different event formats without extensive reconfiguration.
Supporting live performances
The market’s opening month saw live music events, including female duo Waiting For Wednesday ahead of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 final.
Regular live sets are expected to take place at Darley Street Kitchen every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 8pm, giving traders and visitors another reason to spend time in the venue.
