RETAILERS and Bradford's business community have a chance to hear from the The Broadway shopping centre's manager when they meet tomorrow.

Sue Anderson Brown will speak at the open meeting which will be chaired by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, who is Bradford Council's executive portfolio holder for employment, skills and culture.

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: "It's the first time she's been to one of the meetings, so it's the first time many people will meet her and hear what she has to say. She has got a lot of good ideas she wants to put in place to make the centre and the city a success.

"She sees Broadway very much as a part of the city centre and a part of the whole city centre community. It's her first opportunity to speak to retailers."

Cllr Hinchcliffe said it was important to look at how city centre regeneration could continue after the £260 million shopping centre opens on November 5, and a focus will be on the markets at the other side of the city.

"The next stop is looking at the market areas at the top of town and what we can do there to keep bringing people in. We need to keep the regeneration momentum going after Broadway opens. Regeneration never stops. We can't rest on our laurels. We need to keep looking for new opportunities," Cllr Hinchcliffe said.

Bradford Food and Drink Festival in October this year is one idea that will achieve that, she added.

Bradford Markets will be working with local businesses and Jamie’s Ministry of Food to create a quality food and drink experience as part of the festival on Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, in Northgate and Rawson Road, next to the Oastler Shopping Centre.

It will showcase a wide range of locally produced goods and street food, exciting street entertainment and a large marquee providing drinks, refreshments and food demo’s from Jamie Oliver’s mentor, Gennaro.

Gennaro has worked in some of London’s most popular restaurants, such as Antonio Carluccio’s Neal Street Restaurant.

In 1999 he opened his own restaurant, Passione, in Charlotte Street, London, which was awarded Best Italian restaurant in 2005.

He is well-known for the BBC series Two Greedy Italians as well as his regular appearances on Saturday Kitchen.

Over the two days there will be food demonstrations from other local chefs and businesses.

Before the the retailers and businesses meeting ends on Tuesday there will also be a report on plans for new signposts to help city centre visitors, including those visiting for the first time to shop at The Broadway shopping centre, find their way to other areas of the city, to boost business across Bradford.

The meeting is at 5.15pm at Malik House in Manor Row, Bradford.