Bradford regeneration chiefs are to press the company behind the £300 million Broadway development to include a post office in the shopping centre.

Westfield has previously said it wants to include one there - even before the closure of the nearby Exchange branch in Bank Street.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, the regeneration and economy portfolio holder, and Bradford Centre Regeneration, have been tasked with negotiating with Westfield over the matter.

Coun Mallinson said: "I will be writing to Post Office Ltd and also to Westfield to bring it to their attention - but obviously this is a totally independent developer.

"We hope by raising the issue and hopefully bringing both parties together they will look at the possibility.

"Post offices aren't about facilities from the point of view of the building - they are about location."

He will also look into the possibility of providing post office services at the Council's One Stop Shop in City Hall.

Peter Miller, director of development at Westfield, confirmed that the Council had asked the company if it could accommodate a post office.

He said: "We would be delighted to discuss with the Post Office the potential of being represented in the new centre."

In 2004 Post Office Limited announced it wanted to close 16 branches in the district - giving the city centre Exchange Post Office a year-long reprieve.

It finally closed its doors in November last year, despite a massive campaign to save it spearheaded by the Telegraph & Argus which was backed by a 5,000-signature petition.

Post Office Limited said the branch was not making money and business could be dealt with by improvements at the other branches in the city - Darley Street and Sunbridge Road.

Campaigners pointed out that its location next to the planned Broadway scheme would mean a huge increase in business.

Audrey Raistrick has welcomed the move to get a post office in Broadway, saying the other city centre post offices were too difficult for pensioners to access. She said: "We should have a central post office - as it's a lifeline for so many people."

A spokesman for Post Office Limited said: "If someone came to us with a commercial proposition for a new post office, we would consider it."

l The ground floor of the Bank Street building has been empty for a year, but negotiations are under way which could see it being occupied in the New Year.

Tim Smith, representing owners Dundas Commercial Property Fund, said three different parties - two retail and one non-retail - were interested in the site.

He said: "It was a slow start, but is progressing well and we expect negotiations to conclude before Christmas."

e-mail: jo.winrow@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

  • Click here to see Our View