NEW jobs are being created at Bradford's Midland Hotel, including opportunities for potential managers.

The recruitment drive at the historic city centre venue will add around five new staff to the hotel's core team of 60. New recruits will include two apprentices for the food and beverage section, who will be trained as potential future managers.

Gary Peacock, general manager, said the Midland's "day trade" for lunches, bar snacks and drinks, had benefitted since the opening of The Broadway shopping centre which had boosted footfall.

Gary said: "Customer service is paramount to what we do and every so often we review our staffing. We have reached the stage where we need to refresh in certain areas and ensure we are up to strength. This includes seeking apprentices who have the potential to train as food and beverage managers in future.

"Our day trade has definitely benefitted from the Broadway opening and the Midland is located in a prime site following the development. This has increased demand for lunches and such like but, like other Bradford venues, we suffer from room occupancy levels below the national average.

"This has not been helped by the opening of so many hotels in the city centre in recent years. However, we believe that, in the end, quality such as the Midland can offer will win out."

The recruitment comes as the Midland's owner, the Peel Hotels group, reported a modest rise in turnover for the year to the end of January.

Turnover increased by 3.4 per cent to just over £17 million , with pre-tax profits higher at £993,607 against £800,342 in 2015. Operating profit was up 7.2 per cent to £1.56 million compared with £1.45 million a year earlier.

Revpar (accommodation revenue per available room) increased 5.6 per cent with occupancy up 0.8 per cent and average room rate up 4.7 per cent.

Chairman Robert Peel said the Midland had benefitted from the major share of the group's £603,000 captial expenditure programme during the year, including refurbishment of the exterior and further bedroom improvements.

Mr Peel said: "The group achieved a creditable improvement in the financial year ended 31 January. Our results continue to improve on the back of Revpar growth and a lessening overall cost of finance due to sustained repayment of debt. Our cash resources allow continued investment in our product and this gives us confidence for future growth in the current year."