Delayed delivery of specialist building materials saw the opening put back by two weeks.

The new market will include 49 general indoor units, 11 retail areas in the food hall, nine shops fronting onto Union Street and 45 outdoor stalls, with room for three mobile catering units.

It is the first of several major regeneration projects in Wakefield city centre to be completed and Coun Denise Jeffery, Wakefield Council's deputy leader, said: "This is a milestone in the transformation of Wakefield. It is a very exciting time to live and work here as we begin to see it develop and change into a city of the future. The market is something that crosses over the old and the new."

The market will focus on locally sourced food and one of the new businesses includes a Yorkshire tapas bar.

Owner Louise Pickersgill, 38, said: "This is something totally different and a new challenge, but something I really wanted to do.

"I will be using Yorkshire produce, much of which can be sourced from fellow traders in the new market and I'm hoping to form many professional business relationships with them.

"There will always be a Yorkshire theme and it will include food tasting and there's not many places where you can go and try some food you may not have a clue about."

Other shops in the food hall include a fishmonger selling fish fresh from Grimsby and a Polish delicatessen.

A new open market will sit alongside the market hall, with an emphasis on local produce on general market days. Thursdays will see a global and ethnic market and Tuesdays will host a reuse market where quality, fit-for-purpose, second-hand items can be sold.

The main market hall is sold out, although spaces remain in some of the shop units. Anyone interested should contact 01924 307826.