Traders told of market's closure 'via Whatsapp'

Traders have said they had less than two weeks' notice that a market in Bradford city centre would close, leaving them with thousands of pounds of leftover stock.

Stallholders at The Bazaar, on Simes Street, said they had been preparing for Eid before they were informed of the market's impending closure through messages on WhatsApp.

The Bazaar is just one of several buildings due to be demolished to make way for Bradford City Village, which is a partnership between Bradford Council and the ECF to build 1,000 homes.

Planning applications for the scheme were approved in February 2026 and demolition is due to commence later this year with construction starting in 2028, according to the council.

Bradford Council said it had agreed with the leaseholder that the building would be vacated by 13 May, which included an extension to the original deadline to allow tenants to finish trading and remove their remaining goods.

The Bazaar closed to the public on 10 May.

One trader, Mahnaz Begum, co-owner of Firdous Fashions, said she had been given less than a fortnight's notice and left with £20,000 worth of Eid stock and shop units in her garden.

"We've had 12 years of trading at The Bazaar, and having to leave abruptly is emotionally and physically draining. We've made family relationships and met lots of customers," she said.

"Everybody has so much stock left over.

"We've got nowhere to put the stock or the units, some of us have to put stuff in our gardens or have left it behind."

Begum is hoping to open a stall at Bradford Mall, but will miss the important Eid shopping season because she is waiting for it to be ready.

Umer Ali ran Haji's Wear, a menswear shop specialising in wedding outfits. He had been trading at The Bazaar for two years and has £25,000 worth of stock in hold.

He said he had been given just a few days' notice.

"We were sent an email in the morning from The Bazaar owner - he sent a message in a WhatsApp group and said 'you need to go, like in two days to clear the stock and clear The Bazaar'," he said.

"It's really hard. It's too hard. It's just like, it's everything on me, like the stock rooming, we don't have any space, we don't have any space at the home. It's too much for me," he said.

Ali has started a new shop on City Road, but said he would not consider trading in the city centre again due to the expense.

"Everywhere the shops are like £1,500 a month to rent, with a separate bill for electricity, gas.

Writing on social media, company director of The Bazaar, Hassan Ali, said they had made "the difficult decision to close The Bazaar with immediate effect".

He said: "The Bazaar has always been more than just a business - it has been a community filled with wonderful people, shared moments, and lasting memories. We are incredibly proud of what we built together.

"To all of our amazing traders, we wish you every success and happiness for the future. Thank you for your hard work, passion, and dedication throughout the years."

A spokesperson for Bradford Council said it had no direct relationship with the tenants and was not obliged to offer new accommodation.

"However, we have maintained contact with representatives of the traders and an application for a market licence has been received which, if approved, will allow for alternative premises to be developed for a market-style bazaar that will provide accommodation for the leaseholder's former tenants," it said.

Ali was contacted for comment.

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