WYG to update Bradford Retail and Leisure Study
Press Statement
10th October 2012
WYG to update Bradford Retail and Leisure Study
As announced on 13 August 2012, WYG have been instructed by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council to update the Bradford Retail and Leisure Study (BRLS). The update will involve a review of the conclusions of the 2008 BRLS to explore how valid they are in today’s economic climate and will provide up to date recommendations that will inform the emerging core strategy. The study which is a requirement of the local plan is in a relatively early stage of its production and the final report is scheduled for release in December 2012. Empirical evidence is still being collected by research companies and will not be available until mid to late October.
In an article published in the Estates Gazette on 6 October 2012 (as part of the Focus Yorkshire Retail section by Mark Simmons), Paul Shuker, Associate at WYG was quoted as saying that, ‘total space requirements have fallen by at least 25%’ - the implication being that this scale of reduction is in relation to Bradford . This comment should, in fact, be read in the wider context of the UK and regional economic climate, where retail space requirements across the UK have been suppressed by more recent limited or household expenditure, significant growth in on-line sales and increased competition from out-of-centre retail parks. Therefore, it is too early to attempt to accurately quantify the true level of future retail space that will be required in Bradford city centre. The figures quoted by Mr Shuker were based on a conservative estimate informed by WYG’s experience elsewhere. However, these will need to be tested and verified in the final study for Bradford.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
WYG is an established global management and technical consultancy to the built and natural environment that collaborates with clients in over 40 countries to help them realise their corporate and project ambitions.
A top 15 European consultancy and employing more than 1,400 people around the world, WYG has the expertise for every stage of a project’s life-cycle from planning and design to building and completion.
WYG takes enormous pride in the work it does and has been recognised with several prestigious industry awards including: British Expertise International Awards 2011; RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Gold Medal Award 2011, National Recycling Awards 2011.
Lisa Losardo
PR & Communications Executive
T: 44 (0)113 3821048
E: lisa.losardo@wyg.com
