12:09pm Tuesday 24th November 2009
Bradford’s top business leader had urged developer Westfield to push ahead with the stalled £320 million Broadway shopping centre scheme once the economy improves.
Harold Robinson, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, told guests at its annual dinner that he was confident that the regeneration schemes for Bradford would go ahead but the city needed to be patient.
He urged Westfield to put the Bradford plan at the front of the queue of projects to be progressed once conditions allowed.
Mr Robinson also said major public realm schemes, such as the Park at the Heart, were vital to improving Bradford’s image and economic prospects.
John Timpson, chairman of the Timpson shoe repair group, was the guest speaker.
He said selling its shops and introducing key cutting services had helped save the family-run firm, which was established in 1860.
The group also ran training courses for inmates at Liverpool and Wandsworth prisons and had a policy of employing former prisoners.
Colin Philpott, head of the National media Museum, outlined to the gathering the importance to Bradford of being names the UNESCO City of Film.
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