00:00Wakefield Council looks set to ditch plans to demolish the Riding's shopping centre,
00:05opting instead to turn the ageing mall into a leisure and entertainment destination.
00:10The reform-led authority says more than 3,000 people took part in a public consultation,
00:16helping shape proposals for new cafes, restaurants and cultural attractions,
00:22while retaining existing independent retailers. The council bought the centre for just over £11
00:28million in May under the previous Labour administration, which had planned to demolish
00:33it as a part of wider regeneration schemes. If approved on 17 November, the plans will
00:40formally replace the previous Cathedral Quarter scheme.
