Sunbridgewells to reopen on August 28 after lockdown

The underground complex, featuring a host of bars and shops, will reopen to customers on Friday, August 28, after lockdown measures were eased for hospitality businesses last month.

It will be the first time the site has been open since it shut its doors on March 20, when the lockdown restrictions were imposed by the government for all leisure and hospitality facilities.

Now Sunbridgewells is set to reopen with social distancing measures in place including a one-way system in order to adhere to government guidelines.

Graham Hall says Sunbridgewells will undergo a deep clean before it opens later this month

Graham Hall, of Yeadon-based developer Sunbridgewells, says the site will undergo a deep clean ahead of its opening date.

He still hopes it still goes ahead on this planned date and there are no more restrictions put in place later this month for Bradford, after last week's announcement of the city's local lockdown.

He said: "There is nowhere else in the country like this construction, so we are not going to let it go now after all the time and effort we have put into it.

"We will liaise with Bradford Council over the next couple of weeks to see what measures have to be taken to make it right. Then we will do it. That's all we can do.

"We have lost around £15,000 a week turnover during lockdown. It's been a nightmare.

"We have around 15 staff who have all been furloughed and are getting looked after.

"We still have to take it day-by-day now. We got closed down in March and lost a lot of stock. We lost about £10,000 in beer stock which has gone out of date now.

"A deep clean will be done before we reopen.

"We have four entrances and we will bring in a one-way system. It's not that difficult for us to bring in. It's much easier than other people.

We are in the government's hands, so we can't do anything about it. If they say jump, we say how high

"Hopefully we don't get locked down again. We could watch the Six O’clock News tonight and they could tell us something different."

Sunbridgewells confirmed the news it is reopening, tweeting: “Sunbridgewells will be back open on August 28, with social distancing in place.

“This is subject to government guidelines.

“We look forward to seeing you all very soon. Stay safe from all of us at Sunbridgewells.”

The complex opted against reopening on Saturday, July 4, when pubs and restaurants across England were allowed to reopen.

This decision was made last month in the "interest of public safety".

The £1.9million complex opened to the public in December 2016, with more than 20,000 visitors in its first two weeks.

Princess Anne officially opened Sunbridgewells in June 2017

It was officially opened by the Princess Royal in June 2017.

During her visit, which lasted an hour and 10 minutes, Princess Anne was given a guided tour of the site and unveiled a plaque in Wallers Brewery.

More than 200 VIP guests, including former Bradford Council leader, Councillor David Green, attended the event. She also stopped to have a chat to a number of owners of huts selling goods including food and flowers.