Are younger shoppers and food options key to historic market's revival?

Bradford Council is about to start a consultation over what improvements could be made to Keighley Market. The town has had a market for more than 700 years - but what do traders and shoppers think people in 2026 want?

At the tender age of 13, Andrew Aspinall started work in a butcher's on the market.

"There were seven butcher's shops at the far end. Everyone one had five members of staff and it was properly thriving.

"Times have changed, I've been away. I've had my own business for a few years, I've managed farm shops... but Keighley Market's always had a bit of a pull for me," he muses.

The 47-year-old is now manager of Barnes of Keighley butchers at the Low Street main entrance.

"We get a lot of footfall from a lot of regular customers so I think we're quite fortunate, we do very well," he explains.

The West Yorkshire town originally got a charter to hold a market back in 1305, according to the local history society.

A sales site was originally established on Church Green, before relocating off Low Street in 1833.

The new covered market was built as part of the town centre redevelopment in the late 1960s and was officially opened in 1971.

However, in common with many towns, the changing face of the High Street - including the 2018 loss of the M&S in Keighley's case - has affected the number of shoppers around, says Aspinall.

"When you've got Amazon and everything else too, it's such a hard gig. I think we're lucky because we're food and everybody's got to eat.

"Keighley Market itself deserves to succeed. It deserves some money putting into it.

"We're all ratepayers, we all pay into Bradford Council.

"I've seen what's gone on at Darley Street Market in Bradford, a heck of a lot of money spent there. Why can't we have that?"

Scott Broadbent, 51, took over the family card business business more than 30 years ago.

He says: "We're just hoping that some sort of investment is going to be made.

"The flooring could do with revamping, it's damaged in a lot of areas and looks a mess.

"We've spent about £20,000 over the years on our business to make it look good.

"From the outside of the building, I think that's where the pitfalls are in trying to get people in."

He also highlights the effect of younger people's shopping habits.

"They don't shop on the High Street as much as they used to do, they're more online or out working.

"So I do believe the market has to be attractive on the inside too, so a bit of money spent... to get people in."

Mark Hudson, 45, runs a carpet stall and fitting service.

He also visits Bury and Norwich, which he says have thriving markets with a variety of food stalls.

"When they talk about markets evolving, that's what they're talking about - food."

Landscape gardener John Pickles, 53, was in to get a car key cut.

He says that rents are a key issue: "The rents are so high around Keighley that businesses can't afford it.

"If there were a lot less shops around the town that were empty, and had potential businesses in them, that might help to bring more people into the town centre."

Shopper Natalie Balaz brings her nan to the market.

"She doesn't go out that often so she likes to have a little look around and it's quite accessible for her.

"I think it's mostly older people that use the markets and come in here," the 35-year-old explains.

"So definitely something that would attract the younger generation might help, buskers and I think, as well, different food stalls.

"A lot of places have new funky food markets and different types of food.

"I know we've got the traditional English cafes, but I think bringing in some different kind of food stalls might bring some younger people in as well."

Diane Firth, 64, is in with her daughter, with the pair looking for a new hairdryer.

"I use the pet stall and I get my fresh meat here from the butchers. I like it.

"I think it could do with more stallholders, there are a few that are empty.

"I think if they had more continental-style food and fruit and vegetable stalls, that might be better," Diane says.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, from Bradford Council, believes the market remains "a cornerstone of the town".

"We want the market to be successful long into the future and we're starting the process to assess how this can be best achieved.

"We've seen the great success of Darley Street Market and we share local residents' desire to see this impact for Keighley as well," he adds.

"We know the building is in good overall condition.

"But it is timely to consider longer-term opportunities for improvement and sustainability and how its current traders can be supported to boost its impact."

The politician says the council will be "engaging" with traders and customers to build "a greater understanding of their views".

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