Former Halfords in Bradford to become Halal supermarket

A former motor store which has become an eyesore since it closed more than a decade ago is set to be turned into a £3 million Asian superstore.

The former Halfords shop in Leeds Road, Thornbury, Bradford, will be transformed into a 24,000 sq ft supermarket, creating 20 to 25 jobs.

Artists impression of the new Halal supermarket

The building, which has lain empty for years, has been a target for vandals and arsonists and has been turned into an illegal travellers’ camp in the past. But bosses at Pakeezah Asian supermarket, which has its base on another site in Leeds Road, said the new store would create a “great experience” for shoppers.

Director Tariq Haq said: “We have been struggling for space where we are at the moment.

“We needed bigger premises because the business is getting bigger and bigger.

“We have been looking for a site for quite a long time, but when we first looked at this site it was sold to someone else.

“So we were delighted when we managed to buy it from a property company six months ago.

“We are going to be serving mainly ethnic foods, with halal meat and poultry and exotic fruit and veg. We are looking to create a great experience for shoppers.”

The new store will include 10,000 square feet of shopping space and an 80-seat cafe serving Asian food to eat in or take away.

Architects Beckwith Design Associates (BDA), based in Little Germany, Bradford, have been working with Pakeezah on plans for the new store.

Planning permission was granted by Bradford Council last month and construction work will start next month.

The store is set to open in November 2010.